Denise Maples has been a kind and reliable teacher at North for just about 28 years. In that time, she taught the intro to art and printmaking classes, in which she has grown many of her
skills as aneducator, specifically working with high school students. A lot has been adjusting the curriculum and learning better ways to let students learn to enjoy creating with their peers.
“We revamped intro to art, I think it was 2014, from the traditional way that it had been taught where it was more technique and elements and principles of art,” Maples said. “We had a shape unit, a color unit, stuff like that. Where, now, we have more concept-like ideas, themed ideas, more freedom with the curriculum.”
Many students have expressed their indirect appreciation of this shift, or of how much creative freedom is given. But the most common thought is how the atmosphere of Maples’s room is amazingly suited to all kinds of different learning styles. She is able to listen and give advice when needed, while also not being too critical.
“I like how laid back she is and she gives you a lot of freedom to do what you want,” junior Elizabella Guntli, a student in Maples’s intro to art class said. “I wasn’t here last year, the year before, and I did an intro class at my old school and we did not have nearly as much freedom and I actually hated it, so I was dreading to take a class here. But it was actually really fun.”
On the contrary, there have also been quite a few more recent hires to the FHN teaching staff. One of these teachers is Gaite Brauns, who started a teaching career in 2023 after majoring in mathematics and minoring in education at Lindenwood and Central Methodist University. Here, Brauns teaches Algebra 1 and Geometry to mostly underclassmen, and has already become more comfortable with developing his teaching style.
“I’m not oblivious to the fact I’m not that old yet,” Brauns said. “So, the teaching philosophy that I have is basically, ‘I’m gonna do things to show you how to do it, and I’m gonna give you a chance to figure out where you’re getting lost, and then I can help you later on with how you’re getting lost and how you can get back on track with it.’”
Braun’s students also agree with his teaching values and think the values create a good learning environment for everyone involved. He also incorporates one-on-one time to check on the students as they work, by walking around and offering help when needed. This is helpful to some who may not want to stand in front of the class and ask when something doesn’t make sense.
“Something different about Mr. Brauns is he’s very direct, in a way,” freshman Alexa Lauer in Braun’s Geometry class said. “He always likes to get to the point and doesn’t really like to mess around, if that makes
