This year began with the addition of 14 new staff members to Wenatchee High School.

English teacher Kelsey Eberth has returned from a leave of absence as well. Assistant Principal Gracie Helm said that these new teachers are essential, replacing any who have recently retired or moved on to new jobs elsewhere.

“Last year’s class was the largest freshman class, but we still needed more teachers to fill the gaps,” said Helm.

New science teacher Graham Stansbery earned his undergraduate degree from Whitman University. He moved around to various states until arriving in Seattle, where he got his Master’s degree in teaching.

“I like to think what I teach can apply to everyday life,” Stansbery said. “It’s more about the experience than just me telling the students what to do. I don’t want to tell my students how to learn.”

New photography teacher Reed Carlson, who took over the position when former teacher Karen Bray retired, said he joined WHS because it was “the only school with such a good program. I less chose them, they really chose me.”

He said he likes to think of himself as a business person, not part of the traditional educational route. Besides just teaching the subject, he photographs professionally for weddings and promotions, along with numerous other things.

“I want to bring a level of professionalism to the visual programs,” Carlson said.

The other new staff members are math teacher Jackie Andrewjeski, English teachers Molly Butler and Tasha Ritter, science teacher Matt Kline, health teacher Kari Hertzog, Choir Director Dawn McCormick, Director of CTE Dennis Conger, CTE director’s secretary Maggie Bailey, assistant secretary Tanya Bofto, Core Success teacher Luann Magnus, counselor Sara McManus, and library secretary Deborah Zornes.

According to Helm, the hiring of new staff members is to the benefit of the school, adding more muscle to the backbone of the body of this establishment.

“We hired more to our staff to help students learn and to facilitate learning,” said Helm. “That is always our priority, to assist students in their learning any way we can.”