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CTE teacher Cheyne Christensen recently announced that he is leaving NS as soon as the school can find a replacement.
“He was such a comfort teacher to most students in this school,” said sophomore Allie Ivory.
According to multiple students, Christensen was kind-hearted, fun to be around, and built strong relationships with those around him. The students at NS knew that he cared, which creates an amazing foundation for an incredible teacher.
“In my [initial hiring interview],” Christensen said, “I told them that kids would want to come to class. I would produce and provide an environment that is welcoming and is comfortable.”
Many would agree that he accomplished this.
“He was just fun, was a nice guy,” said senior William Wright.
Even though he had good relationships with the students, he wasn’t quite qualified to teach this specific subject and he wanted what was best for them.
“Honestly, the main reason [I left] is I got talking to some kids, and they mentioned that they wouldn’t want a different teacher,” Christensen said, “but these are advanced kids in coding. They wish they could get a little more.”
He continued to explain that it planted a seed of realization in his mind. He realized that in that field of work, you can get a job if you can prove that you know what you are doing.
“I have options outside of education, I haven’t quite decided where I’m going to go, but I do have a couple options,” Christensen said.
Computer science wasn’t even what Christensen went to school for. He went to be a P.E. teacher. He has a history hereat NS, and originally agreed to teach CTE because it would keep him closer to home.
“I am sad to see Cheyne leave,” said NS Principal Christy Straatman. “He brings so many amazing qualities to our profession, like the things that are really important to teaching. Cheyne loves kids. I think unconditionally, he is kind-hearted. He is able to build strong relationships with students.”
Christensen’s position was a Computer Technology Education position, which isn’t the easiest position to fill. It is an extremely important position because the skills being taught are, as Christensen mentioned, essential for students to learn to succeed in that job market. It includes programs like JavaScript, CSS, HTML, 3D Graphics, and Digital Business Apps, which require three endorsements in all.
Interestingly, whoever replaces Christensen will be the third technology teacher NS has had in the last four years, and the sixth in the last eight years.
“We really want to provide opportunities for students to learn, and that is why we keep trying so hard to fill that position,” Straatman said. “Our problem with that is there are not very many individuals that are going into that field for teaching.”
Over the past several years, the CTE position has been challenging to fill. Most individuals who are qualified for this type of program don’t go into teaching with it. So either the school has to get someone with those skills and help them get a teaching license or try to have someone with a license get the endorsements, which can take lots of work.
“There’s not a defined date, so we have it posted right now,” Straatman said.
They’re not sure when they will hire a new person for this position but are extremely grateful for Christensen giving them time to interview and find the right person for the job. There will be CTE programs finishing in December and April, so it might be sometime around then.
“We are going to miss him, and we wish him nothing but the best,” Straatman said.
