You may have seen many new faces around the halls and/or teaching you. These are some of the many new teachers at Lafayette. Here is a list of all 25 new teachers:

• James Alcorn (Health & PE)
• Vanessa Baker (Art)
• Nathan Bennett (Custodial)
• Bradley Bernhard (Science)
• Tracey Bolinger (Social Studies)
• Renee Boss (English)
• Sarah Detraz (Art)
• Meredith Dill (English)
• Justin Dozier (PE/Health)
• Chris Griffith (Math)
• Joe Gross (English)
• Mac McBride (Family/Consumer Science)
• Courtney Neese (Spanish)
• Claire Polston (Science)
• Heather Price (Special Education)
• Shelley Shepherd (Spanish)
• Cory Spalding (Science)
• Kenny Stancil (Social Studies)
• Matthew Stegman (Math)
• Shea Thrash (Special Ed)
• Angel Vowels (Family/Consumer Science)
• Chad Warner (Business)
• Seth Young (Math)

The Lafayette Times has asked some of our new teachers a few questions:

Ms. Claire Polston (Science)

Question: Why did you choose to work here at Lafayette High School?

Answer: I had heard so many great things about Lafayette from current students and friends of mine who had graduated from Lafayette in the past. When I moved to Lexington, I knew I wanted to work at this school if I had the opportunity to do so.

Question: Why did you choose the job you have now?

Answer: I have always enjoyed learning science and helping others. In college, I felt that studying education would allow me to merge these two things into a career. I love being able to share my passion for chemistry with new students each year.

Mr. Chad Warner (Business)

Question: Why did you choose the job you have now?

Answer: I chose to work at Lafayette as a Business and Marketing instructor because I wanted to use my experience in those fields to help students prepare for their future college programs and careers. I am also a former graduate of Lafayette and desire to help continue the school’s rich tradition of excellence both in and out of the classroom.

Question: Do you have anything to say to your students as a whole?

Answer: I look forward to getting to know each of you and just remember that my door is always open for those who may need additional help in my classes.

Mr. Joe Gross (English)

Question: Why did you choose to work here at Lafayette High School?

Answer: I decided to work at Lafayette because, since leaving Kentucky over four years ago, I heard nothing but praise for the students and staff here. When I then learned, this past spring, that a position was available I jumped at the chance to return home, join that staff, and work with those students. I am happy to now be the one passing along that same praise!

Question: Why did you choose the job you have now?

Answer: Going into high school English was one of my worst subjects but I was fortunate to have two great teachers during my Freshman and Sophomore years. They inspired me to not only improve but also cultivated a desire to share what I had learned with others. By the end of my Junior year I had gained so much respect for them both that I felt a need to “pay it forward” in a way, so I enrolled at the University of Kentucky with a declared major in Education. From then on the students and colleagues I encountered have only further confirmed that I made the right decision.

Question: Do you have anything to say to your students as a whole?

Answer: My students often hear my ironic brand of advice in the classroom like, “do less” or “thinking is stupid.” While those words (intentionally) warrant an odd stare or a chuckle, they are really meant to emphasize two keys to learning; keep things simple and don’t get in your own way.

Ms. Heather Price (Special Education)

Question: Why did you choose to work here at Lafayette High School?

Answer: I had heard that it was an enthusiastic place to work, the students and staff showed a lot of school pride, and you are treated like family. (Once a General, always a General!)

Question:  Why did you choose the job you have now?

Answer: I chose to be a Teacher because I love learning and I wanted to inspire and share my learning with others.

Question: Do you have anything to say to your students as a whole?

Answer: I enjoy teaching you all each day in the classroom and look forward to the new school year. I hope to get to know you all and help you succeed in school and life.

* More teacher question & answers will be coming soon!*