New Staff Interview with Mr. Scholton!

1. So, how do you like Vanguard so far?
I love it! Now I get to know every student personally. It's really a great experience.

2. Did you always want to be in the teaching field?
Yes, I did. Growing up my mom was a fitness coach, so I would go to her workouts a lot. I basically grew up in the gym, and knew that I would love to teach fitness to other kids.

3. What were you like in High School?
I was really athletic, but I wouldn't say I was necessarily a "Jock." I just really liked staying active. And I NEVER wore the lettermans, because Elk Grove's were really ugly. (laughs)

4. What things do you like to do for fun, outside of school?
I like to work out, hang out with my family, and basically anything that has to do with being outside. I also just got engaged about a month ago, so of course I like spending time with my fiance.

5. What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?
Well, when I was little, my grandma always told me to "Eat dessert 1st." For some reason, that's always stuck with me.

6. What is your favorite book?
Actually, a guy I coached with, Joe Bush, wrote a book called "How About You?" It's an interactive workbook, and gives you lessons on how to be happy, and things like that. It's really inspiring.
(He had this book in his bag! He really likes it!)

7. What is something that most people don't know about you?
Something you don't hear about every day is that I have 3 sisters, all with the SAME birthday. Two of them are twins, and the other one just happened to be born on the same day. So that's pretty weird.

8. What would you say is your biggest personal accomplishment?
Definitely finishing college, and getting my masters as an administrative leader.

9. How would your friends and family describe you?
Fun loving, outgoing, upbeat, positive, and always with a smile on my face.

10. If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be?
I know it might sound kind of lame, but I would stick to the Northwest Suburban area, just because my family is here.

11. A time when you were embarrassed?
I can't think of one off the top of my head. I really don't get embarrassed easily.

12. What is a strange talent that you have?
I don't think it's really abnormal, but I can wiggle my ears without touching them.

13. What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Well, last Summer, me and my fiance went mountain climbing, and white water rafting. It was a blast! I'm really adventurous, and I plan on going skydiving one day.

14. If someone were to make a movie about your life, who would you hope would

play you?
N/A

15. What changes do you plan on making here at Vanguard?

N/A

New Staff Interview!

So, many of you have probably realized, we have 3 new Vanguard staff members! These new staff members are: Mrs. Kraft, the new director, Mr. Scholten, a PE teacher, and Mr. Wrobel, who is also a PE teacher. Vipers wanted to know, who are these people, and what were they all about?

That's why I wrote my very own interview questions, and dug a little deeper into the lives of our new Vipers.

Here is my conversation with Mrs. Kraft

1. So, how do you like Vanguard so far?

I love it! I really like the non-traditional way that Vanguard approaches things, as well as it having a very dedicated staff, and being able to work with students on a more personal level. At a regular High School, you don't get that kind of connection.

2. Did you always want to be in the teaching field?

No, actually. When I was in college, I was going for Medicine, and I had a minor in coaching. It was in my Sophmore year in college that I realized that I wanted to be a teacher.

3. What were you like in High School?

Honestly, I was mainly focused on boys and sports (laughs). I got by on grades, but I very much was into the "Jock" scene.

 4. What things do you like to do for fun, outside of school?

Well, I have a two year old son, and my husband and I love to just spend time with him no matter what we're doing. But, we're also a very active family, and sometimes we'll just wake up on a Saturday morning and say, "Hey, let's take a day long hiking trip! Why not?" It's very spontaneous. 

5. What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten?

Hmm. Probably, "Don't judge others if you haven't walked in their shoes." Everyone has day to day struggles, even if they don't seem like they do, and it's very important to keep an open mind.

6. What is your favorite book?

My favorite book would have to be "In the Lake of the Woods" by Tim O'Brien.

7. What is something that most people don't know about you?

Uhm, well, I'm really into watching Days of Our Lives (laughs). When I come home I love to just relax on my bed and see what new drama is in store!

 8. What would you say is your biggest personal accomplishment?

Most definitely helping my sister, who is special ed, lead a happy and healthy life. It was hard growing up, and watching her deal with the day to day struggles, but I never gave up on her. I was always by her side trying to help her accomplish her goals, and now she's a teacher!

9. How would your friends and family describe you?

They would probably describe me as private, goofy, funny, and family focused.

10. If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be?

Maui, hands down!!

11. A time when you were embarrassed?

(laughs) Well, during spirit week, and the topic for today was "Twin Day." And when I walked in this morning, every teacher looked like they were pregnant, even the men! It was pretty embarrassing, seeing as how they were trying to be MY twin!

12. What is a strange talent that you have?

Well, one thing I can do is say the alphabet backwards. Also, I love The Cardinals, and I'm really good at remembering baseball statistics. Like, you could ask me how many home runs they got 20 years ago, and I could tell you.

13. What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Probably when I secretly ran away to Hawaii to marry my husband (laughs). We didn't want the stress of a huge wedding with 100+ guests and all the unnecessary expenses, so we went on a nice little vacation and when we got back we told everyone that we were husband and wife! Everyone was pretty shocked.

14. If someone were to make a movie about your life, who would you hope would

play you?

  Meg Ryan, she's great!

15. What changes do you plan on making here at Vanguard?

Well, Vanguard is a great school! So that's a tough question to answer. But my goal while I'm here is to have everyone leave Vanguard with a college credit, or with a certificate.

Interview by Gabriella San Felipe