New Asst. Principal, New Teachers,

And Guidance Counselor at RUHS

By Morgan Brown

There are several new faces at Randolph Union High School this year, including three new teachers, a new guidance counselor and a new associate principal.

The new assiociate principal, replacing Judy Hynes, is David Barnett.

After living in Maryland for several years, Barnett now lives in Waitsfield with his wife and two young children. He has a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a Master’s degree in public school administration.

Barnett began his career in education as an eighth grade English teacher in Maryland, where he taught for seven years.

Even though the RUHS job is Barnett’s first administrative position, he has spent time in more than 30 high schools and middle schools as a middle school consultant for the Vermont Department of Education.

Already, Barnett has a clear vision of his role as an associate principal.

"Sometimes a school will hire an associate principal to be the disciplinarian for the school and nothing more; I think the role is so much more. It should be about building relationships with students."

Leslie Hakey is the new social studies teacher for the seventh grade, replacing Ashley Newton. After living in New York for 13 years, Hakey now lives in Shelburne, and he attended UVM.

His goal is to concentrate on reaching every student and helping him or her to get the most out of the year.

"I want students to come away from my class with a really positive feeling that they’re learning—but it’s fun learning and not a boring process," Hakey said.

Erika Eyler replaced Courtney Giknis as the English part of the seventh grade team. Eyler was raised in California but moved to Vermont three years ago and has been teaching for five years. She said she hopes students leave the class with an interest in learning about other cultures, because much of the class involves studying the eastern hemisphere.

"I think when students remember their teachers, they don’t remember what they were taught as much as how their teachers treated them," she said. "Sometimes what they take with them are the life lessons more than the academic lessons."

Kathy Hockman is the newest science teacher to join the senior high, replacing Yolanda Perry. Hockman lives on Braintree Hill and has been teaching for 15 years. She received her bachelor degree in geology and chemistry at Castleton but she earned her Master’s degree from Johnson in secondary science education.

"Learning is lifelong; it’s not just something we preach—some actually live that way," said Hockman.

She is already very pleased with the sense of community at RUHS and hopes to bring more scientific technology to the school in the future.

Kara Mercer has replaced Betty Richmond as the junior high guidance counselor. A resident of Warren, she has spent the last two years earning her Master’s degree in counseling at UVM and is now eager to take on her new role.

"I’m not a teacher, so I see myself in more of a supportive role, trying to help students be academically successful," she explained.