PONTIER MONIQUEGOODYEON

Goodeyon has been teaching for 33 years, 17 of which were at East. According to Goodeyon, she’s spent her fair share of time teaching and feels that she’s ready to transition to her next phase of life, with less demanding hours and work.

“I’ve met the requirements to be able to retire from the state of Kansas,” Goodeyon said, “I know that I’m going to find another job because I still have some kids in college, but it won’t be in public education.”

To support her kids in college, Goodeyon plans on either entering corporate communications or a retail position, perhaps at Pottery Barn. She hopes to find a less demanding line of work to occupy her for the next few years.

“I have my tenth grandchild on the way, and some of my grandchildren live away from Kansas.” Pontier said. “So I’ll be going to Seattle and Chicago to [spend time] with my grandchildren.”

As her family grows, Pontier says she hopes to watch her grandchildren grow up while possibly picking up tutoring on the side.

MY LIFE IS JUST going in a different direction, and teaching is such a demanding job — where my life is going and what this looks like as a job aren’t really compatible

TEACHER

Similarly, Pontier has decided to focus on spending more time with her quickly growing family.

Unlike her coworkers, Colebank says she just needs a change of pace. As new mile-markers, such as her upcoming marriage, in her life approach, she says she’d like a less demanding job — no papers to grade, long hours, or underappreciation.

“My life is evolving and changing,” Colebank said. “I’m getting married. My life is just going in a different direction, and teaching is such a demanding job — where my life is going and what this looks like as a job aren’t really compatible.”

Although she’s certain she’ll leave the profession, Colebank says she may choose to stay involved in education, saying that helping the kids learn and grow is what she loves most about her current role.

Sophomore Gracie Bergin will be sad to see Colebank leave. She says that Colebank has provided a safe space for her to learn, grow and vent.

“[Colebank] is a great listener, and our relationship has had a great impact on how I view the class,” Bergin said.

Junior Ian Flynn says that Goodeyon has impacted him by simply being there to help with his work, when things get tricky.

“Mrs. Goodeyon is a great teacher who has really pushed me to figure math out on my own while being there to help me with that which I have trouble understanding,” Flynn said.

All three of the teachers have impacted both students and the East culture throughout their time on staff.

design by connor vogel

A look at the logistics of this year’s senior Prom and changes since last year

Starlight Under The Stars

FOR THE FIRST time, StuCo will be holding Prom on the stage of Starlight Theater.

Union Station has always been the first option for prom venues, but with the NFL Draft being held at Union Station in May, Student Council’s former-Prom Coordinator and digital design teacher Jennifer Hair was tasked last year with finding a new location. After lots of research and site visits, Hair landed on Starlight.

“[Starlight] was a blank slate that had an impactful environment that was super Kansas City,” Hair said. “The venue itself was so unique — just like Union Station — you don’t need much decoration to make it look awesome and special.”

story by caroline wood