![On Oct. 30, 24 Eco Club members took a tour of the school’s solar panels on the roof. They were guided and taught by an employee from E Light Electric, the company that maintains the school’s solar panels, and learned about how the panels are maintained and cared for. “I was definitely very excited about being on the roof in general,” Eco Club member Olivia Fang ‘26 said. “[It was exciting to] learn more about solar panels and how they work and how they supply energy to our school.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/RCH_2632-1200x800.jpg)
![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. "[College math] is more challenging, and it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
![English teacher Colleen Lamb grades College Prep English assignments during period two Nov. 10. Lamb, who has been teaching for 27 years, decorates her classroom with posters and handmade college flags from her senior students. "Everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom," Lamb said. "So, thankfully, the college [I worked at] had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_1158-1200x900.jpeg)
The bell rings, signaling passing period.
The journey to the back of the 3000s gets more interesting, however, when “Confidence” by Demi Lovato floods from room 3400. As students arrive in the classroom, they are met with their teacher cheering for them to strut into the classroom. AP Literature and Composition, College Prep and Literature of Film teacher Colleen Lamb urges her students to start their day with courage, just as the song implies.
Lamb has worked as an English teacher for 27 years, first starting at Douglas County in 1997.
She challenges her students to top their work and bring a new understanding of the world to class, but despite her love for teaching, it wasn’t always her plan.
“When I graduated from college, I was determined not to be a teacher,” Lamb said. “I got an English degree and my advisor asked before I graduated if I wanted to to the teaching program, and I said, ‘There’s no way I would ever go back to a classroom.’”
However, her plans soon changed.
“I wanted to work in publishing,” Lamb said. “I went to school in the Midwest and there are a lot of publishers out there, so that was my plan. I didn’t get a job in publishing right away, but I did get a job at a college. Working with the college made me realize everything I enjoy about English happens primarily in the classroom. So, thankfully, the college had a teaching program, and I was able to do my post-grad work for free while I was working [there].”
With any job, Lamb’s relationship with teaching isn’t black-and-white. She admits to liking certain aspects of education more than others.
“What I really love is putting together [and] planning lessons,” Lamb said. “I like figuring out the organization, like the layout, slide decks and all of that visual part. I love teaching. I hate the grading.”
When she’s not watching horror and mystery movies, Lamb loves refurbishing, building and working with her hands.
“I love gardening,” Lamb said. “I like doing house projects. Over fall break, I refinished my deck and I have built a perennial garden in the front yard, so I like doing stuff like that.”
Just like talking about movies, reading books is one of Lamb’s favorite subjects. When asked for recommendations, she is readily prepared with a list of her current and overall reading picks.
“Last year, I started listing out books I was reading [outside my classroom],” Lamb said. “‘Who is Maud Dixon’ by Alexandra Andrews was a really good one, that got 12 out of 10 points. ‘This Tender Land’ by William Kent Kruger was [also] good.”
One of her favorite books offers more than just a fun read for her. “Matchmaking for Beginners” by Maddie Dawson had a quote that inspired one of her tattoos.
“The last line is, ‘Whatever happens, love that,” and that’s my tattoo,” Lamb said.
