Since schools in session once again, many new teachers and staff members have joined Eagle High. Teachers were asked five questions about their name, what they teach, age groups they teach, hobbies and a fun fact about themselves.
Teacher Bailee Smith is in her first year of teaching. She is an English teacher for the sophomores and juniors of Eagle High.
“This is my first-year teaching, and I teach tenth and eleventh grade. It’s been so fun,” Smith said.
She explained that her brothers took part in why she wanted to be a teacher. She also explains that in Albuquerque, New Mexico has a mediocre education system.
“I have three little brothers and two of them didn’t love school, so a lot of teachers made them feel like they weren’t intelligent even though they are so smart,” Smith said. “A lot of those students had a terrible home life and teachers that didn’t care about them. Because of these experiences, I want to help high school kids see their potential.”
“I also love how words have shaped history and continue to shape our society,” Smith said. “I want students to learn how they can effectively communicate and think critically. Too many people don’t know how to think nowadays.”
Hobbies that Smith has are playing pick-up sports, horse-back riding and she loves to watch football. She is from Arizona, so she loves water activities like fishing. She also said that she has a pet pig named Puma.
Teacher Dilynn Miner is a paraprofessional for the 18 to 21 and up program that Eagle High has. She explained that she is excited for what the year has to bring.
“This is my first year here at Eagle, and I’m so excited to see what the year brings,” Miner said.
Her inspiration to become a teacher comes from the joy she felt being around kids. While teaching horseback lessons and realized that being around kids is enjoyable.
“What has inspired me to work at a school was that I noticed how much I enjoy being around kids! I love to watch them learn and grow into young responsible adults,” Miner said. “Not only that, but my grandma was a para, and I was told that it might be something that I’d love.”
Teaching isn’t her only job, she enjoys when the Halloween spirit is arising by working at Haunted World.
“A fun fact about myself is that I’ve worked at Haunted World the past seven years,” said Miner. “I’m an actor there and absolutely love to scare people. Not only that, but I love making my own costumes each year and have a costume I use yearly.”
Teacher Mike Nelson has started his first-year teaching freshman and sophomores at Eagle High. He teaches Intro to Engineering and Principals of Engineering. Nelson was inspired to teach after retiring from a career of Engineering.
“After retiring from a career in Engineering, I decided to keep busy teaching,” Nelson said.
Nelson likes to run, travel and he loves Disney. He says that his fun fact is that he has ran several races.
“I ran the Dopey Run at Disney World, 5K on Thursday, 10K on Friday, 1/2 marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday.” Nelson said. “Pretty Dopey if you ask me.”
Teacher Zac Farnam has taught high school for 18 years but has started his first year at Eagle High this 2025-26 school year. He teaches Fitness, Health and College Health. His inspiration to become a teacher is deep and meaningful.
“I had a poor home life growing up. My teachers and coaches are the reason I am who I am today.” said Farnam. “I like to try to provide that same positive influence on others.”
Farnam’s hobbies involve being outside and with his family. He especially loves sports baseball, football, gold, wrestling and basketball.
“Family Time, anything outside hiking, biking, camping in our travel trailer,” Farnam said about his hobbies. “Sports especially football, baseball, golf, basketball, wrestling.”
Nurse Jenny Rowland has started her year by coming to Eagle High. She is the brand-new nurse for the school and is excited to be here. She has been a nurse for 25 years and a school nurse for 11 years. She was inspired to work in a school because of her love for children and as well as being a part of the public school system.
Rowland’s hobbies include walking, traveling, friends and family. She also loves to listen to podcasts. She has lived in many different states. She also worked at a National Park.
“I’ve lived in Utah, New Mexico and Idaho.” Rowland said. “I also lived/worked in Yellowstone National Park for a summer when I was 19 years old.”
Teacher Cole Witter has been a student teacher and substitute for Eagle High before, but this year is his first-year teaching.
“I teach Earth Science and Astronomy. This is my first year of teaching. I teach freshmen, as well as juniors and seniors,” Witter said.
Witter has been inspired to teach kids. He wanted to become a teacher so he could help kids learn.
His hobbies include coaching, skiing and traveling. He is also colorblind, and it is his go to fun fact to say.
Vice Principal Marcene Guerrero has been teaching for 15 years and has been an administrator for eight years. He was inspired to become a teacher because of her grandfather.
“Education was very important to him. He taught me that education is the great equalizer.” Guerrero said. “It opened opportunities for me that I would not have had and want that for other students.”
School Counselor Kylie Corbett has been a school counselor for two years and is in her first year at Eagle High. She was inspired to become a school counselor because of the impact she had at a high school in Utah.
“I worked as a Career Center Coordinator at a high school in Utah, where I loved helping students prepare for life after graduation.” Corbett said. “That experience truly inspired my desire to become a school counselor.”
Her hobbies include skiing, mountain biking and cooking. A fun fact about Corbett is that she has lived in seven different states.
Teacher Terra De Minico is a PBI academic support teacher for Eagle High. She has been teaching for four years and was inspired to become a teacher because she wants to help shape the future of the world.
“I play videos games and I love sudoku,” said De Minico. “I also have a cat named bunny”
Teacher Courtney Jackson teaches at both Eagle High and Mountain View High.
“I currently teach Teen Living. I am at Eagle High on A-days and Mountain View High on B-days,” Jackson said. “I am also endorsed in Health Education, Physical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences.”
She has been teaching for eleven years and she was inspired to be a teacher because of her grandparents.
“Two of my grandparents were teachers and coaches.” said Jackson. “I always looked up to them and admired their love for education and working with kids.”
Teacher Jake Taylor is a new PE teacher at Eagle High. He has been teaching for thirty-one years. His inspiration came from his parents.
“Both of my parents were in education and I had tremendous mentors growing up that were educators and coaches,” Said Taylor.
Teacher Cherissa Schwendiman is a new math teacher for Eagle High. Teaching Math One and Two. She has been a teacher for three years. Her own kids were her inspiration to become a teacher.
“I would help them with homework and realized that I loved teaching.” she said.
Vice Principal Ryan Branch has started his journey with Eagle High. He has been in education for 29 years and has been an administrator for fourteen years. His inspiration has been that he has always wanted to work with kids and wanted to play a small part in their success.
Branch’s fun fact is that he played D1 baseball in college.
“I played Division I baseball at Gonzaga University,” said Branch. “GO ZAGS!”
Teacher Ryan Chesler is a paraprofessional in the 18 through 21 programs. He has been teaching for two years. He worked for Eagle High last year as a substitute instructor for culinary class.
“I loved it so much that I decided to pursue a career in education. It was so exciting to see how students take the information and concepts and apply them to their own work. Chesler said. “I’m proud to be a part of ongoing education.”
Chesler owns a Food truck that often serves at Eagle High. He explains that something interesting is the business that he started.
“Something interesting about me is that I produce and sell hot sauce and seasonings, which originated from a food truck that I owned and operated. Chesler said. “Students may have had my food before because I’ve served several times at Eagle High.”
Teacher Amelia Coleman is in her first year of teaching. She has joined Eagle High’s English department for nineth and tenth grade. Her inspiration comes from a teacher because of the incredible impact her teachers had on her.
“I was inspired to become a teacher because of the incredible impact my own teachers had on me—especially my English teachers,” Coleman said.
Danny Herdegen has been teaching for twenty-two years. He is teaching Economics and Freshman cornerstone. He was inspired to become a teacher because of coaching.
“I got into coaching and enjoyed working with young people.” Herdegen said.
Eagle High is excited to welcome these new faces to the campus. Each brings their own talents, energy and fresh perspectives to the school community.
