Retirees

Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 Wishing 2022 retirees well

Seri Welsh

Co-Editor-in-Chief

Julie Angles

Whether it be CP English 1, AP English Language and Composition, or Sexuality and Gender Awareness club, as you enter room 107, it’s hard to miss English teacher, Julie Angles', notorious smile.

After 30 years of teaching, 29 of which were at Arcata High School, Angles is officially retiring this year.

While retirement comes with new adventures, Angles will miss her spontaneous class discussions.

“I’ve had a lot of great memories; they all involve just anytime we would be having a conversation on something and it would just go off on a tangent. Maybe we would be talking about a book, and I felt like I needed to get us back on track, but we were having such a good conversation I just let it go and sometimes we have the whole hour of just talking about life,” she explained.

In all her years of teaching, some of her favorite memories are of when her son, Jack, was at AHS.

“I remember being really nervous when he was coming. I didn’t want to embarrass him, I didn’t want him to embarrass me. It ended up being just wonderful… I think in a way it brought us closer,” she stated.

One of Angles' favorite parts of teaching is how unique each day is.

“Every day is different, never boring; [I’m] always learning new things. I learn new things every day, even from material I’ve been teaching for years,” she stated.

In her retirement, she looks forward to trying new things and picking up old ones.

“It’s been a long time since I played the piano. I feel like I never got very good. I feel like I could practice and get better,” she stated.

While Angles recognizes the tremendous progress that’s been made in promoting equity on the AHS campus, she hopes in the next few years it will continue to expand.

“Just make sure everybody feels comfortable and safe. Just keep that up,” she stated.

In her 29 years at Arcata High, Angles has certainly left her mark.

“I know everybody is replaceable, so I know people will have forgotten about me, but I really hope that a little of me stays behind, a little flicker of ‘Jangles’ hangs around. ‘Cause I really have loved it here. These are the best years of my life really,” she stated.

It can be said with great confidence that Angles will be missed.

Susan Lovato

Susan Lovato has been at Arcata High School since 1994, teaching almost every single math class AHS has to offer.

Approaching retirement, Lovato noted how much everything has changed since she first began teaching.

“We took attendance on sheets of paper and did grades by hand. [Now,] I am teaching children of former students,” she said.

In regards to their feelings about having Lovato as a teacher, the general consensus from students was clear.

“She makes math fun. The energy in [the classroom] is just really happy,” sophomore Athena Bagwell explained.

It’s evident Lovato’s students are close to her heart.

“I will miss the students the most. Their knowledge and their laughter always brighten my day,” Lovato explained.

While Lovato will miss her relationships with students, she looks forward to spending time with her grandson and watching him grow.

Her favorite memory of teaching high school was going to the math fairs, something many missed out on during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lovato was inspired to become a teacher because of her personal struggles with math in high school.

“I hated math in high school,” Lovato said.

After taking a “math anxiety” course at College of the Redwoods, she changed her mind and wanted to make math a more positive experience for students in her position.

She has certainly achieved her goal.

“I love how interactive the class is. We play a bunch of games to learn the math rather than just worksheets,” freshman Autumn Hudgens explained.

Lovato’s advice for incoming teachers is short and simple.

“Laugh a lot,” she said.

We wish Lovato the best in her retirement.

Seri Welsh/PEPPERBOX Retiring Arcata High School teachers Julie Angles and Susan Lovato pose outside of room 107 on a cool, foggy morning