![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)
![The girls varsity soccer team walk back to their bench during halftime April 1. The Jags played against the Castle View Sabercats at the Douglas County Stadium and scored 3-0 W. “It felt really good [to beat Castle View]. I feel like that was a big win for us because knowing that we came together to beat a pretty good team has definitely given us some leverage for this season,” attacking midfielder Grace Rossner ‘24 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_4906-1-1200x1057.jpg)
![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)
![At Prairie View High School, the winterguard team poses with their plaque after winning first place at their competition Feb. 24. This was the second time they won first place this year, this time with a score of 74.190 points. “I [love being] a witch, but my favorite [part of the show] is the trios, it’s so cool,” Heather Strickland ‘27 said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PRARIE-VIEW-BY-MARGO-SANFORD-e1709531739910-1200x910.jpg)
FRIDAY FACULTY FEATURE: Kate Kubina’s Favorite Memories – and Books
This week’s look at English teacher Kate Kubina’s life inside and outside the classroom.
media by Claire Bauer
Kate Kubina grades papers at her desk after school Dec. 9. Kubina’s favorite part of teaching is the students. “It’s all of these notes and encouragement and having those moments in class where you just like crack up laughing, those amazing conversations that just come out of nowhere, and just getting to know students [keeps me teaching],” Kubina said.
December 9, 2022
To some, she was a freshman English or Honors English 1 teacher. To others, she became their Senior Studies mentor or Sci-Fi Fantasy instructor. Over 13 years, Kate Kubina has taught a variety of classes. Kubina talks about her teaching career and some of her favorite forms of storytelling and literature.
Q: What do you teach at Rock Canyon?
A: I teach freshman English Honors, Sci-Fi Fantasy, and Senior Studies.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: This will be year number 13.
Q: What got you into teaching?
A: I feel like high school is a really difficult time. It’s very challenging. And I think you go through a lot of stuff. When I went through high school, it was really challenging. I felt like I didn’t have teachers that I could connect with at all and I felt like teachers were another figure telling me what to do. If I had had a teacher that had really understood me and took the time to help me navigate things, I feel like it would have been a game-changer. So for me, it is 100% about the connection, about being there for students, helping you guys navigate a really difficult time in your lives. I also happen to love what I teach. I love literature. I love diving deep into books, but it’s more of a way to help you use that literature as a way to make sense of the craziness of your lives. So it’s just a way to help you navigate.
Q: What keeps you teaching?
A: It’s you guys. The students. It’s like all of these notes and encouragement and having those moments in class where you just like crack up laughing, those amazing conversations that just come out of nowhere, and just getting to know students.
Q: Is that just teaching at Rock Canyon or have you taught at other places?
A: I think this is my year 11 here.
Q: Where did you go to school?
A: I got my undergrad degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and then my graduate degree, my master’s I got through Regis University.
Q: What is your all-time favorite genre?
A: What is my favorite genre of all time? I mean, I’m into thrillers, fantasy, dystopia, that kind of stuff.
Q: What is your favorite form of media, like a book, movie, or show?
A: I mean, I have to say book because I’m an English teacher. There are great books out there.
Q: Follow-up question, what is your favorite book?
A: I get into different series. I mean, my old stuff. I still love “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I feel like I still get goosebumps when I read that. I love “Into Thin Air.” I love so many books that I teach. I would say those two fundamentally. One of my all-time favorites is Ernest Hemingway, “The Sun Also Rises” is a fantastic book. I could go on and on. But yeah, I love every book.
![Olivia Potter ‘23 and Eliza Record ‘23 attempt to carry Michael Webb ‘23 offstage on a stretcher during rehearsals for “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Oct. 26. During the show, Webb’s character is shot because he is having an affair with another character’s sister. “[I didn’t feel prepared but] I do now. It took me a while to get here to this point,” Webb said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221026_161633-e1666897909574-475x319.jpg)
![Samantha Jacot ‘23 lays out the collection of notes and gifts she plans to give to Lily Fodness ‘23 to ask her to Homecoming. Jacot made a note and gift for each class period during an all day and had friends give them to Fodness throughout the day. “My favorite [gift] was probably third period. I got a Monster, that was really nice and I really needed the caffeine,” Fodness said. (photo courtesy Sam Jacot)](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Eschlue.-LLemire.GCalvanese_homecoming.proposals.pictures_oct.-4-rotated-e1665084816476-475x356.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_5019-600x450.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_1158-600x450.jpeg)
