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McCloud Elementary has welcomed new 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science and math teacher Spencer Adkisson for the 2011-12 school year. He replaces longtime teacher Gil Steele, who retired in June after 38 years at the school.
“I was very fortunate that Gil Steele retired and created an opening for me because I had been watching and waiting for something to open up that was in the realm of middle school math and science,” said Adkisson.
Born and raised in Chico, Adkisson moved around taking odd jobs here and there before working as a mountaineering guide and ski patroler at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park and The Fifth Season in Mount Shasta. He left in 2003, moved to Arcata and attended the College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.
“I had to do what a lot of people do, which was to leave the area to go to college then spend the rest of my time trying to get back here,” he said.
He earned his teaching credentials at Sierra Nevada College at Incline Village, near Lake Tahoe, then taught two years math and science at the High Desert Montessori School in Reno.
Two weeks ago he and his wife, Cassie, bought a house in Dunsmuir that previously belonged to his mom and stepdad.
“My wife is a grad student and is currently working on her PHD through the University of Nevada, where she is an instructor,” said Adkisson.
“I have K-8 teaching credentials, however, my focus is in middle school math and science. As soon as I knew I wanted to become a teacher I knew I wanted to teach middle school," he said. “I'm real excited about what the future will bring for the upcoming year. I've got some exciting things planned. First and foremost is bringing back the science fair to McCloud Elementary.”
Adkisson will also be teaching history and PE. He said, “I know that's quite a load but in these times with low student enrollment you have to be like a Swiss Army Knife. You have to be able to do multiple tasks... My personal take home message is, ‘A classroom is a classroom is a classroom.’ It doesn't matter where you are, if it's a brand new multi-million dollar brand new school or if it's a thatched roof building on the beach somewhere. It's what you do in the classroom that makes it valuable and meaningful. And more to the point, it's what the kids do. They have to experience it, and if they are not involved, and doing it right, they aren't learning.”
Adkisson said when he can find the time, he loves hiking, rockhounding, skiing, sailboating, and canoeing. “Recently I have been teaching myself to play the banjo,” he chuckled.
McCloud Elementary has welcomed new 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science and math teacher Spencer Adkisson for the 2011-12 school year. He replaces longtime teacher Gil Steele, who retired in June after 38 years at the school.
“I was very fortunate that Gil Steele retired and created an opening for me because I had been watching and waiting for something to open up that was in the realm of middle school math and science,” said Adkisson.
Born and raised in Chico, Adkisson moved around taking odd jobs here and there before working as a mountaineering guide and ski patroler at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park and The Fifth Season in Mount Shasta. He left in 2003, moved to Arcata and attended the College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.
“I had to do what a lot of people do, which was to leave the area to go to college then spend the rest of my time trying to get back here,” he said.
He earned his teaching credentials at Sierra Nevada College at Incline Village, near Lake Tahoe, then taught two years math and science at the High Desert Montessori School in Reno.
Two weeks ago he and his wife, Cassie, bought a house in Dunsmuir that previously belonged to his mom and stepdad.
“My wife is a grad student and is currently working on her PHD through the University of Nevada, where she is an instructor,” said Adkisson.
“I have K-8 teaching credentials, however, my focus is in middle school math and science. As soon as I knew I wanted to become a teacher I knew I wanted to teach middle school," he said. “I'm real excited about what the future will bring for the upcoming year. I've got some exciting things planned. First and foremost is bringing back the science fair to McCloud Elementary.”
Adkisson will also be teaching history and PE. He said, “I know that's quite a load but in these times with low student enrollment you have to be like a Swiss Army Knife. You have to be able to do multiple tasks... My personal take home message is, ‘A classroom is a classroom is a classroom.’ It doesn't matter where you are, if it's a brand new multi-million dollar brand new school or if it's a thatched roof building on the beach somewhere. It's what you do in the classroom that makes it valuable and meaningful. And more to the point, it's what the kids do. They have to experience it, and if they are not involved, and doing it right, they aren't learning.”
Adkisson said when he can find the time, he loves hiking, rockhounding, skiing, sailboating, and canoeing. “Recently I have been teaching myself to play the banjo,” he chuckled.
