What does it take to be a writer? Well, one of our own can answer that. She has earned the honor of first place for Youth Poetry at the Central Oregon Writer’s Guild 2020 Writing Contest. Her poem, why is it hard to love a poet? will be shared at a showcase later this year. Her English teacher states, “Her poetry is noticeably complex and stylistic. Her words are relentlessly real and revelatory. She is an amazing writer and we are proud of her.”

We can’t have these words all to ourselves and want to share here. Enjoy the read.

why it is hard to love a poet?
it is such a curse
to see the beauty in
everything as long as
it's impersonal
the vulnerability reserved for
the blooming flowers
or the music that moves my
feet into a
pathetic one-two step
being a poet is no more painful
than being human, it's just that i feel
it more.  it feels like a fog-drenched cliff with no
lighthouse in sight
more like a soliloquy that won't stop
no matter how many rotten tomatoes the
front row tosses heavy-handed
i eat until the juice drips down
my face my callused hands ripe and red
and i am still unfulfilled
it is such a curse to see the beauty
in every word, except for the ones
you create

This may look like our teachers are hovering over the computer making secret plans but this is no secret. Maple Lake Academy is training teachers to use video conferencing as a format for lessons. In the wake of current world events, the education department is determined to do all they can to keep school in session. Nothing will take the place of having a teacher in the classroom and giving their personal touch to the lessons, but being able to keep the flow of academics going is an important part of what we do at Maple Lake Academy. In fact, these two teachers are piloting video conferencing this week and have worked hard to adapt the curriculum to this format. Math, English, Social Studies and Science will get a new look this Spring as we continue to adapt to our changing world.

One of Maple Lake’s own was honored by a local museum by earning the privilege of having her art work displayed to the public for several weeks. The local museum sponsors high school art each year during March as thousands of submissions are reviewed and evaluated for presentation and only a fraction are placed on display.

This social statement of incorporating water creatures to a bouquet of flowers comes from the student’s home town and the over use of lobsters in the local artwork. Her color choices reflect a trend toward warm and cool colors representing the vacillating ideas reflected in the piece.

Congratulations student Liz!

Thank you to all the parents that were able to make it out for Parent’s Weekend.  The boys had a wonderful time!  It was a special week!

Parent weekend was not the only thing that made last week special.  Last week, our new Education Director showed up on the scene.  Enter Jolyn Mitchell.

Jolyn Mitchell has been an educator since 1999 as a classroom teacher, teacher mentor and child advocate.   Her experience in working with students of all backgrounds has fostered a love for the learning process and a student-centered approach to education.  She has a BS in elementary education, an MS in curriculum and instruction as well as an Ed S. in administration and supervision from Tennessee State University in Nashville.  She has experience in public and private education and has served her school communities in many ways; such as athletic director, emergency response team, mentoring programs and more.  She loves hiking, skiing, biking and reading.  Jolyn is a mother of 5 children and 15 grandchildren.

Maple Lake Academy is delighted to welcome such a wonderful person to our team.  Academics are an important part of our process here at MLA.  You can rest assured that Jolyn will do everything she can to help your student reach their full potential.

Welcome aboard Jo!

Heartfelt Goodbye

Maple Lake Academy has said goodbye to our amazing Donna Breckenridge, as she heads north of the boarder to serve an LDS mission in Montreal, Canada.  Donna has been our faithful Teacher’s Assistant for the past two years.  Thank you for all of your hard work Donna!  We will miss you!

Enthusiastic Hello!

We are excited to announce our new Teacher’s Assistant who is learning to fill Donna’s shoes.  His name is Regan Whimpey.  Regan graduated from UVU with a Bachelor Degree in Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Directing.  He is currently working on his Secondary Teaching license in Theatre & Social Studies, as well as a Master in Teaching the Arts from Idaho State University.  Regan comes to us from American Preparatory Academy.  He is also heavily involved in Theatre in the Utah community, appearing in and directing many shows throughout Utah.  He has also taught Acting 101 at the Hale Center Theater from 2013 – 2018.

“I live for teaching.  There is no greater feeling in the world than seeing a student succeed at something that is really difficult for them.  I love that.  I love that I get to see that change within the student. Every time the student wins, I win. I’m extremely excited to get to know each student, and to help them succeed academically.  The goal is for them to thrive in life once they finish this program.  I believe in that goal wholeheartedly.  I am dedicated to helping your student reach their full potential academically.”  

 – Regan Whimpey

So What Does The TA Do For Your Student?

Our TA is responsible for proctoring tests, working one-on-one with your student on any academic principle that your student needs to work on.  The TA substitute teaches when need as well.  The most important part of the TA’s responsibilities is the one-on-one tutoring and academic mentoring that they provide the student.