By Clarissa Olson Posted June 7, 2018
Sean Whelen from Clarendon Hills, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) will succeed retiree Paul Criddle as head of the music department.
“I am looking forward to learning about my students and the culture of Winnemucca,” said Whelen. “I am also looking forward to having my own program. It is my first time running an entire music department and I am ready for the challenge.”
Whalen earned his degree in Music Education from Illinois State University and possesses a wealth of music and performance experience.
“I have played in many types of ensembles such as jazz bands, symphonic bands, orchestras, marching bands, choirs, A cappella groups, and madrigals,” said Whelen. “I have performed in musicals and operas such as ‘Little Shop of Horror’ and ‘Street Scene’ as well. I also had the pleasure of directing multiple choirs and bands, as well as being the music director for a production of the ‘25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ (the musical).”
Whalen aims to establish an innovative classroom experience that reaches out to the community, among other things.
“There are many things I plan on using technology for,” said Whelen. “One example is making a website for the music program. With a website, students, parents, and the community can see what is going on in the music program.”
He also intends to establish a connection with his students to help them flourish in music.
“I plan on bringing a challenging, yet supportive, atmosphere where my students will grow to be the best that they can be,” said Whelen.
Whalen is prepared to fill Criddle’s shoes and is excited to work with his new students.
“To my future students: I know it will be a change having a new teacher and I will do things differently than what you are used to, but as long as we work together, I believe we can make wonderful music together,” said Whalen.
The wife of the welding teacher and golf coach, Mr. Andrew Meyer, Holly Meyer, will be teaching English next year. It will be her first year of teaching, after earning her degree at Great Basin College. Myer highlighted why she is going into teaching.
“Like many, I have been greatly influenced by a past teacher,” said Meyer. “Therefore, I want to be able to inspire and influence students like so many amazing teachers before I have done. I want to encourage individuality and give students the tools that they need to succeed in anything they wish to pursue.”
Come the start of next school year; Meyer is ready to contribute to Lowry’s learning.
“I plan to bring enthusiasm and creativity in expanding students’ knowledge of the English language,” said Meyer. “I plan to strengthen the communication and reading skills in my students that will assist them in pursuing their career goals and any future endeavors.”
Meyer is excited for the teaching year to come.
“I look forward to teaching in a smaller, close-knit district where the school culture reflects the identity and the shared vision of the community,” said Meyer. “I am excited to inspire and be inspired. I hope you all have a safe and fun summer vacation and I look forward to seeing you in August.”
Mr. Dunham will be moving from ESL to Inclusion Science, and Clay Sagers will be moving from Junior High to take his place.
Sagers taught at Lowry for three years, before teaching kindergarten through 12th grade in Hansen, Idaho. He has taught English for the last two years at WJHS, where he also coached seventh-grade girls’ basketball. At Lowry, he coaches JV baseball.
“At Lowry, I am looking forward to being with the high school-aged students and seeing them push themselves to make something out of their lives as they push towards graduation, college, and careers,” said Sagers.
Sagers is planning to instill a constructive environment and attitude in his students.
“I will bring a positive and helpful attitude and a belief in my students that they can be successful if they are willing to work for it. I expect you to push yourself to become the best version of you that you can,” said Sagers.
