by Katie Parkinson

After speech and debate teacher Ann Heid retired due to health related reasons, service director Kate Absher stepped up to fill this position.

“I’ve taught speech in the past,” Absher said. “Actually, what I teach is English and speech and theater. So I think they were like, ‘Oh, she can teach speech. Let’s just throw her in there.’”

According to Absher she had also previously expressed a wish to have more student contact, especially in the classroom.

“My favorite part is just being with the students everyday,” Absher said. “I think speech is really cool because you get to kind of learn more about the students in some ways than you might in other classes. They get up and speak about themselves and sometimes they get very emotional, and sometimes they get very humorous.”

According to Absher, while by no means does she have the hardest job in the school, one of the most difficult parts of juggling two positions is remembering everyone’s names.

“On top of all the service stuff, I grade 80 students now too,” Absher said.

In terms of the future, Absher said she is unsure whether or not she will retain the position of speech teacher.

“I really like my job as service director,” Absher said. “I’m not sure how [the future is] going to work, but I’m fine with whatever happens.”

According to sophomore Maggie Hutchison, Absher is a good speech teacher and should continue in the position.

“I love her so much,” Hutchison said. “She’s really awesome. She’s very good at speaking herself, so that’s kind of a plus, and she’s very upbeat and always wanting us to do our best.”