Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1929-08-29
Many of the Old Teachers Have Been
Retained for the Coming
Years Work.

On next Tuesday our public schools
will throw open their doors for an
other year of work. The buildings are
all in order. the children, contrary to
tradition are more than ready to get
back into the harness, and no doubt
the teachers will be equally glad to
resume their work after three months
of vacation.
Some Of our teachers need no intro
duction, having served us well during
the past. Others are coming to us
this year for the first time. several Of
these new teachers. however, being
local girls, coming back to again re-
sumo life on the Island after having
acquired training and experience else
where.
The News-Record feels that the Is
land is particularly fortunate in its
teachers this year, and all signs ap-
parently point to the best year our
schools have thus far known.
Union High School
Mr.. Robertson, our high school
superintendent came to us year ago
from zillah, Washington, where he
had taught for twelve years, The
splendid record he had made there, his
excellent rating in the state department
OF education were verified by his per-
formance in our high school last year
Mr.. Robertson needs no introduction
to us. for his handling of school affair
during the most crucial year of the
union bespeaks his ability.
Mr.. Ackley principal of the VaShon
plant, who also served us last year, is
man of varied experience having
served in the position Of county sup
erintendent, superintendent of a boys
parental school, assistant superintend-
ent of the boys training school at
Chehalis, in addition to years of regu-
lar teaching experience. Greater than
Mr.. Ackleys wealth OF experience is
his splendid influence upon the young
people with whom he comes in daily
contact This influence is not confined
to the high school pupils alone. but
extends to the small first graders OF
the Vashon building. Many small
boys ambition is to "be man like Mr..
Ackley."
Mr.. McElyain, principal of the
Burton plant, came to our schools three
years ago, from Linfield College. and
although lacking in years Of ex-
perience he has proven that his work
is so acceptable that the Board de-
sires his service for another year.
Mr.. Schunke and Miss o'Mahony
came last year from the University OF
Washington. both doing excellent work
at the vashon plant. 1t is deeply
gratifying that these two young people
signed their contracts and are again
members of our high school faculty.
Miss Nelson and Miss Lawen, of the
Burton plant are both graduates OF
the University, the former coming two
years ago without experience, the
latter having taught at Goldendale be
fore coming here. Both have made
good here and we are fortunate In
having them with us third year Miss
Bell, also q graduate Of the University
taught in Oak Harbor before coming
to us. Her talents and ability to deal
wisely with young people have proven
her a valuable asset to our faculty.
These three young women have the
difficult problem of dealing with the
less mature, freshmen minds. which
always presents real problem.
Miss Stewart, who takes the po-
sition left vacant by Miss Christopher,
is a home product, having received
her education in the Burton Schools
She is a graduate of the University
and did excellent work east of the
mountains, where she taught last year.
The teachers in our system are all
obliged TO carry heavy teaching loads
the demand of the day calling for so
many difficult subjects Our small
high school requires better trained
teachers than some OF the bigger
schools where they can allow a teacher
to take one or two subjects and moth
ing else. We can not do that here
and must find teachers who can take
more work and handle it well in order
to keep on the accredited list and give
our graduates fair chance at the
State University
With such a corps Of teachers
building on the excellent beginning
that was made last year. there is no
doubt as to what viii be accomplish
ed in our high school this year
In the Grade Schools
Tuesday viii find in the grade build
tngs a corps Of teachers equal to the
high school.
BURTON
Mrs. Poage. the principal is nov
starting her seventh year here. Pre-
vious to coming here she had ex-
perience in Tacoma and Davenport
Iowa She is a graduate Of Belling-
ham normal
Mrs. Van House is starting her thirt