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New teacher joins campus, community

donaghe
[/media-credit] Donaghe watched FC for an open position since graduating. When a position opened up in English, she and many others prayed for direction with the decision.

English teacher eager to be at FC

The 2014-’15 school year is filled with changes, from new schedules, new freshmen and to new teachers. Amy Deffenbacher, Dean of Students, has left teaching English to focus on her new role, leaving a void in the school teaching program. Andrea Donaghe, who taught at Central High, Sanger High and Reedley High, now joins the FC community as its newest English teacher.

Donaghe grew up in Tarzana, California, where she was homeschooled. She graduated from Mount Whitney High School. After she got married she moved to Fresno, attending Fresno City and later Fresno State. Donaghe majored in English, but originally planned to major in speech pathology. She switched majors with only a semester left before graduating.

“I don’t recommend changing your major because of the bills and work, but I changed and transferred to Fresno Pacific and got my degree in English with the emphasis in teaching,” Donaghe said. “I was a semester shy of graduating when I changed my major. I was not enjoying it. I needed to do something I liked, so here I am. I’m glad I switched, I don’t regret it.”

Before being homeschooled, Donaghe attended Visalia Christian Academy. The dynamics of a private school stuck with her, drawing her back toward the environment.

“I feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be teaching, it always appealed to me to go back,” Donaghe said. “It really is its own community; I know it sounds cliche, but it’s a different culture and community than a public school sector, having taught in public school. It’s very different, but I think it’s different in a good way.”

Donaghe watched FC for an open position since graduating. When a position opened up in English, she and many others prayed for direction with the decision. Donaghe applied, and once asked if she would like the job, answered with a definite yes.

“I didn’t even need to question when they asked me. I wanted the job,” Donaghe said. “I shared over the weekend at the senior retreat at Calvin Crest that I don’t have any doubt about where I’m supposed to be and that’s a really good feeling to have, as an adult, and as a Christian, having a peace that it’s meant to be. ”

Along with regular English classes, Donaghe is also teaching Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition. Donaghe has taught AP classes previously in other schools but wants to ensure she can provide what her students wish to learn.

“I want to deliver what these kids want to do. I know my students will do well, but I want to hold their attention and pay attention to what they want to learn,” Donaghe said. “I want to meet their expectations so they don’t reach the end of the year and think they didn’t learn anything.”

The atmosphere set by smaller classes and a smaller student body encourages Donaghe, a stark difference from public school classes she taught. The average of about 40 students in a class dropped to around 20.

“In a small school you have some of the same teachers for different things, there’s accountability there,” Donaghe said. “You can’t fall into the cracks. Teachers ask students ‘how are we doing? what are we doing? is it going to get turned in?'”

Julianna Rosik, ’16, takes Donaghe’s AP Composition class. This is Rosik’s first time in an AP English class and first time meeting Donaghe. Rosik shared her first impressions and hopes for the class.

“She’s really funny and connects well with the students. It’s clear she enjoys her job and working with high schoolers,” Rosik said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know her more and preparing for the AP test.”

This year, Donaghe will be teaching sophomore, junior and senior English as well as AP Language and Composition.

Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronline. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @ejLadd

For more features, read the Aug. 18 article, Sister-to-Sister program leads to growth, companionship

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