Favorite Teachers

About this Section

There's a message thread in the WYHS Rams discussion board where we can talk about our favorite teachers. This is a list of some of the teachers who have been mentioned either there or by E-mail. If you'd like to add a teacher or some memories, please either send me an E-mail ( robfish@wyhs.org) or visit the discussion board.

High School

• Mr. Ailes

• Mr. Arbaugh

• Mr. Arbuckle

• Mr. Ayers

• Mr. Crisp

• Mrs. Farry

• Mr. Geyer

• Mr. Houston

• Mr. Krause

• Mr. Kryder

• Mr. Smith

Rosemore

• Mr. Bell

• Mr. Eader

• Mr. Eakin

• Mr. Massi

• Mr. Roshon

• Mrs. Vanetter

Kae Avenue

• Mrs. Bird

• Mrs. LaBlanc

• Mr. Orr

• Mr. Spanovich (principal)

• Mr. Tippett

Not Sure of School

• Mr. Will

Edited Comments

These are some edited versions of comments from either the WYHS Rams message board or E-mail:

Mr. Ailes

I owe my career to him. He is probably 70 now, and I'd sure like to thank him. Also, what became of Ted Georgeff? [Skip Ogden, Class of 1973]

Mr. Arbaugh

To this day, I will never forget Mr. Arbaugh teaching us about "The Kon Tiki" written by Thor Heyerdahl and how he got us to remember the man's name. It was kind of goofy, but I've sure never forgotten Thor Heyerdahl!

He explained that "Thor" was pronounced "tore" and "Heyerdahl" was like "he 'tore' the 'higher doll'" - pretty corny, huh? It worked, though! [Jackie (Mason) Wolf , Class of 1971, Palm Bay, Florida]

Mrs. Arbuckle

Mrs. Arbuckle was the high school librarian. I remember inventory every year and vacuuming all the books and shelves. She was just a super sweet woman when you got to know her. I ended up in documentation and archiving which was a direct result of her passion for detail which she passed along. [Carolyn Ballenger, Class of 1979]

Mr. Bell

Two of my favorite teachers were Mr. Bell at Rosemore and Mr. Houston at WYHS. Both had flattops, and Bell, at least, was a bit right-wing for the '60s, but they were still good teachers, friendly to us, funny, open, genuine. [Jeff Lodge, Class of 1970]

Mr. Houston

Two of my favorite teachers were Mr. Bell at Rosemore and Mr. Houston at WYHS. Both had flattops, and Bell, at least, was a bit right-wing for the '60s, but they were still good teachers, friendly to us, funny, open, genuine. [Jeff Lodge, Class of 1970]

Mrs. LeBlanc

Mrs. LaBlanc was the music teacher at Kae Avenue. I sure couldn't carry a tune but she taught me how important music is and how to really appreciate it. [Carolyn Ballenger, Class of 1979]

Mr. Massi

The ocassion that sticks into my mind is when he brought in a friend of his who had just returned from duty during the gulf war. [David Buenning, Class of 1996 (Eastland)]

Mr. Niekirk

I would have to say, though the teachers at Etna Road taught me the important basics, and Rosemore had some great ones, Bell, Bailey, etc.,in high school, for me, it had to be Mr. Niekirk.

The music program was great and though he had his little quirks, he made music fun. I never had Mr. Anderson for English, but enjoyed him as the leader of Ramblin' Folk.

I have since gone on to college as a vocal music major and now teach 30 students piano in my home. [Juanita (Compton) Garbenis, Class of 1971]

 

 

Mr. Orr

Mr. Orr had a love of the English language which I didn't come to understand until I was much older. He got us up in front of the class and helped us to overcome our fear of speaking in public. Mr. Orr was probably the reason I took speech and drama every year in high school and college. [Carolyn Ballenger, Class of 1979]

Mr. Smith

My Sophmore English teacher who got away with calling me "Patrick" (my middle name) for an entire year because there were two other David B's in my class. That and I got to create the "chess piece" costumes for the big renaisance festival which he had a big part in. [David Buenning, Class of 1996 (Eastland)]

Mr. Spanovich

Mr. Spanovich was the principal at Kae Avenue. He wasn't a very big man but as a child he was very intimidating. You didn't want to have to face him. Although the stories were worse the any of my actual encounters with him. [Carolyn Ballenger, Class of 1979]

Mr. Tippett

He got me interested in excelling rather than just getting by. He was a big inspiration. Not that I have always excelled but I have always remembered his words of encouragement. [Carolyn Ballenger, Class of 1979]

Mr. Will

My 5th grade(88-89) teacher. He had a way of making everything fascinating. I even remember when he would hang out with the kids on recess and talk to a bunch of 10 year olds as if they were 'real' people. [David Buenning, Class of 1996 (Eastland)]

Have a memory you'd like to share? Something that might strike a chord with your friends and classmates? Please send an e-mail to update@wyhs.org If at all possible, please identify the graduating class of any classmates you mention. Also please pick the decade the memory belongs to.