Fresh faces from far away places: Meet the new teachers at FAHS
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September 7, 2009 • News Editor Ramsey Statz
Filed under Local, News
Fort Atkinson High School is starting off the school year with some fresh faces on the staff. Interestingly, one of these new additions was interviewed for his position through the popular online video conference software, Skype.
While Skype is primarily used by friends to casually chat, it has become more widely used and recognized as a tool to perform job interviews with candidates who, primarily due to location, are unable to attend a job interview in person.
Through Skype, Marin Dobson, the new science teacher who would not have normally been accessible (being based in Hawaii) was able to interview and get a job in a school district thousands of miles away.
Although hundreds of students will walk through these new teachers’ doors in the first few days of school, many will walk out knowing little about them.
Marin Dobson
Dobson will be teaching in the science department at FAHS. A native of Middleton, Dobson attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Bacteriology.
Dobson is the first to admit he has not always been interested in teaching as a career path. However, after helping coach volleyball at Madison West High School, he found enjoyment in interacting with kids and decided to get his teaching degree.
Dobson will be teaching Biology and Science 9. He plans to bring a fun atmosphere to the classroom environment and looks forward to learning from the people here as well as teaching. He will be teaching Biology and Science J
Tom Jonas
Jonas, a 2002 graduate of FAHS, will be teaching in the English department. He graduated with a degree in English and a teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
A lover of learning, he believes that education is a lifelong process.
“My personal education philosophy is that it’s something that isn’t meant to happen between 8 o’clock and 3 o’clock, between the ages of 6 and 18,” Jonas said.
Jonas will be teaching English 12 Composition, English 11, and Contemporary Literature. He hopes to instill this same love of learning in his students and hopes to set them on a “quest for knowledge.”
Kevin Duncan
Duncan is a graduate of both Northern Illinois University and the University of Michigan.
He has had many life experiences that have lead him to be interested in family and consumer education. These include serving in the peace corps, teaching HIV/AIDS education, and teaching English in South Korea. Duncan enjoys the fact that FACE classes are so applicable to everyday life.
“I just like the fact that it is so user-friendly. Everybody needs to cook. Everybody needs to be healthy. The skills that you learn in family and consumer education are things that will change your life,” Duncan said.
Duncan will be overseeing the new culinary arts program at FAHS.
Mike Hintz
Hintz, former Boys Basketball Head Coach at Stoughton will fill the vacancy in the Physical Education department left by the retirement of Dave Krause at the end of last year.
In addition to teaching, Hintz will head the boys basketball team. Hintz has also had head coaching experience in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, where he began his career with the girls basketball team. Under his guidance, Stoughton compiled a record of 32-34. In the year prior to his coaching tenure, Stoughton posted a record of 10-33.
With experience at Stoughton’s Impact Sports Enhancement Academy, Hintz will be able to transfer his skills to FAHS physical education department.
Good Luck to the new teachers. Jonas, you may be new, but we know you well. You will do a great job. Miss my “kids” but it was time for me to retire.
Joan (grandma) Fischer
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