Hale in her classroom. Photo credit: Nat Combs
This year, Watauga High School has welcomed a new interim science teacher in earth and environmental science. An interim teacher fills in for a teacher who is not able to teach due to a leave of absence. Kendall Hale will be filling in for Ms. Patterson. Hale has a degree in biochemistry, and previously taught in Northern California and Florida.
Hale moved here after coming to Boone on vacation. She and her partner Pierre fell in love with the area, so when the job position opened up, she jumped at the opportunity. Hale also has two dogs, named Bruster and Kono. Hale and Pierre are working on building their own house right now.
For the time being, she is filling in for Ms. Patterson in the first semester.
“I teach math and science. I love both,” said Hale.” I could never choose one or the other. They are both great. I like the hands on aspect of science but I also love the rules that go along with math.”
In addition to enjoying her subject matter, Hale loves the atmosphere of Watauga.
“I really love the culture here," said Hale. "I feel like we have a really nice school culture so that's been fun to be a part of.”
Hale did not go straight into teaching. Earlier in her life, she felt a calling to go into the medical field. So she started her education to make this happen. After getting a bit through medical school, she realized that she had a calling to teach.
“I attended Florida State University’s college of medicine for two years, and it was there that I realized it wasn't the medicine part of medicine that I loved but the working with patients and teaching them about their health,” said Hale.
After realizing her love for teaching, she took a year off from medical school and taught in California.
Hale also appreciates the way Watauga runs. Compared to all of the places Hale has been, there’s no place like Watauga. We have so many options for things to learn about. We get the opportunity to take so many different career paths.
“At my high school we did not have any options for real life trade activities and we also were not on a block schedule so I really like the block schedule here,” Hale said. “I feel like it allows students to have more options of classes, and more time for labs and shop class.”
Hale feels as though the block schedule allows students to have more control over their education and introduces them to new and interesting topics that might not be explored outside of school.
“I love that you guys are able to do all these very exciting and interesting topics and find out what you really want to do,” said Hale. “Or even if not find out what you want to do, just find things that interest you and try new things!”
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