![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)
![Ice and snow make it difficult for drivers on the road. During snowstorms, drivers have poor visibility, and frozen roads make it difficult to stay in control. “Driving home from Denver [on Friday], the neighborhoods weren’t plowed. By the time we got back they were only plowing highways. We spun out, nearly got stuck and fishtailed a few different times,” Connor Pugh ‘26 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Untitled_Artwork-e1732045465987.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)
![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)
There are many types of teachers. From laid-back to more strict, each teacher has their own personality. But, if you are looking for a teacher who matches the sass of his students, head to the 9000s pod to seek out Geometry and Algebra II teacher Austin Bennett.
Bennett’s aspirations to become a teacher began at a young age. His mother and grandfather both worked in education, exposing him to the profession early in his life. Later, during his senior year, Bennett signed up for a teaching program through his high school, Castle View.
“I always wanted to go and work with the youth,” Bennett said.
After graduating from Castle View, Bennett went on to attend two colleges in Colorado.
“I went to the Metropolitan State University of Denver,” Bennett said. “As well as [Colorado State University], and then came back to Metro to finish my degree, which I believe is in mathematics. Then I got a concentration in secondary education.”
After finishing college, Bennett was set on teaching high school, even earning a concentration in secondary education.
“Middle schoolers are scary, and they’re mean. And I would make a lot of elementary kids cry,” Bennett said.
Bennett went on to student teach at Douglas County High School, and immediately after finishing, he applied for a position at Castle View and was accepted. After a year of teaching at the high school he attended, Bennett switched to teaching Jags, following a successful interview.
“I applied to Rock Canyon, and the interview was so positive that I felt the need to accept the offer,” Bennett said.
When asked about his favorite memories from his career, Bennett admits he doesn’t have any yet, only being a teacher for four years, including student teaching.
“Other than getting pied in the face here, which wasn’t teaching, I don’t think so,” Bennett said. “[That] sounds really boring, but that’s just how it is. [Most of my favorite memories are] just my fellow colleagues bullying me.”
Bennett doesn’t recall all bad memories from his colleagues, revealing he and fellow math teacher Tony Koy will occasionally spend time together outside of school.
“Mr. Koy and I are friends. God, I hope he doesn’t see this. We’ll go fishing in the summer, or probably plan on going on a hike and then we work out together after school,” Bennett said.
Bennett believes that teaching fluctuates, some years being better than others.
“You have your up and your down years,” Bennett said. “Last year, for me, it was honestly one of the best teaching years that I’ve had. This year seems a little more stressful and a little more busy. It’s hard to follow up a great year with another great year. That doesn’t mean this year is bad, it just means it’s different. You still love all the students that you have equally as last year.”
