Waitsburg welcomes three new teachers

WAITSBURG - Several new faces joined the ranks of the teaching staff at Waitsburg Elementary School and Preston Hall Middle School this year. With the school year well underway, The Times checked in to introduce them to the community and find out about their experience in Waitsburg, so far.

Shelby Pomerinke

Shelby Pomerinke is Waitsburg's new music teacher, replacing Brad Green who retired after 22 years in the role. Pomerinke teaches PreK-4th grade general music and 5th-8th grade band. Depending on scheduling, she will teach high school band and possibly choir next year.

Pomerinke grew up and graduated high school in Goldendale, Wash. The attended Whitworth University where she earned a bachelor's in Music Education with a focus on Instrumental Music. Last year was her first year teaching K-5 elementary music in Federal Way, Wash.

Pomerinke said she knew she wanted to teach, as a sophomore in high school, when she realized she could be the person to foster a love for music in others.

"When my favorite teacher was asked why she was teaching, she replied, 'I'm teaching because it is how I chose to change the world,' which had a powerful impact on my decision to pursue education," Pomerinke said.

Former school board member Russ Knopp contacted Pomerinke about the job opening in Waitsburg after learning about her through her in-laws, which he attends church with in Walla Walla.

"This has been a really valuable learning experience. I have gained so much from my students and colleagues! I'm so glad I'm here," Pomerinke said, when asked about her experience in Waitsburg.

In her last positions, she said she taught about 500 K-5 students in 10-11 classes a day, which was exhausting.

"My schedule feels so much better in this position, and with less students, I get to know each of them so much better than I was able to last year. I know that as time goes by, I will only get to know my students better, as I get to see my elementary kids in middle and high school as well!" she said.

"This job has a wider age-range to work with, and therefore more concerts and events to plan for than my previous job," she added.

Pomerinke said the best part of her job is the kids.

"I know every teacher says that, but truly, watching and listening to the kids enjoy themselves making music fills my heart. Those moments where a kid grows from not wanting to be in music, to being excited for the next class bring me so much joy. Also, their growth as people! Seeing them say and do kind things for others and not give up on themselves makes this gig feel worth it," she said.

When it comes to challenges, Pomerinke said that planning for and creating management routines for such a wide age range and planning musical events has been her biggest hurdle but says she welcomes the challenges that she knows will make her a better teacher.

"The junior high band is going to Festival in a couple weeks, where we will combine with Dayton, play our songs for some judges, and receive feedback on how to improve as musicians. We will also be having a Spring Concert on May 13th, and the junior high band will be combining with Dayton's junior high band for their Spring Concert on May 30th. I'm really excited for the combo – the kids will get to experience being in almost a full-sized concert band!" she said.

Pomerinke makes her home in Walla Walla where she lives with her husband, Doug, and cat, Nova. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her cat, playing video games and binging on Netflix.

Tabitha Jadin

Third grade teacher Tabitha Jadin said she grew up forcing her little brother to play school with her, but never really revisited the idea of being a teacher until after she graduated high school.

"I realized how much I care about kids and how amazing it would be to be in a profession where I get to work with them and watch them grow every day.

Jadin grew up and gradated in Duvall, Wash. She attended Central Washington University where she earned her bachelor's in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Literacy. She previously taught kindergarten at Roy Elementary School in the Bethel School District.

"It was such a great experience and I learned so much!" she said.

Jadin began substitute teaching in the area after moving to Dayton with her husband of five years and their three-year-old identical twin boys. She then applied for a full-time position in Waitsburg.

"I spent some time substitute teaching in Waitsburg and instantly felt at home. The teachers and staff were so welcoming and supportive of one another, and the school environment was centered around building relationships with students," she said.

Jadin says the year has been challenging so far but says she loves her class and her teaching team.

"It has been a year of growth for me as a teacher and an individual and I have seen my students grow so much as well. I can't wait to see how that continues," she said.

"Teaching third grade has been quite a change from teaching kindergarten, but I love both grades for many different reasons. One thing I truly appreciate about my third graders is that they have such a great sense of humor. We make each other laugh every day!" she added.

Jadin said there is something different every day that makes her appreciate what she does.

"Sometimes it is seeing a light bulb come on as one of my students masters a challenging concept. Other days it's when I see my students showing compassion and support for one another," she said.

When it comes to challenges Jadin said she has had to accept that she will not get everything perfect every day.

"I want only the best for my students, but the reality is that my classroom will not always be organized, my lessons my not go as planned, or we might not get to do every experience that I would like us to. I am learning, however, that at the end of the day, if my students know that they are loved and that they are capable, it has been a successful day," she said.

Heather Ball

Heather Ball is local to the area, having grown up in Walla Walla. She graduated from Wa-Hi and earned her bachelor's in elementary education, with a minor in psychology, from Eastern Washington University.

Ball assumed she would teach in Walla Walla, but when her boyfriend found work in Dayton, the couple moved there, and Ball decided she would substitute teach for a year. Instead, she applied for an opening in Waitsburg and was hired just before school started.

"I interviewed and they called me the next day to teach. It was two weeks before school started," she said. "I'd never had my own classroom before, and it was my first job. It was pretty stressful, but it worked out perfectly."

Ball teaches 6th and 8th grade social studies, 7th and 8th grade English and a 7th/8th grade combo enrichment class.

She was originally pursuing a degree in psychology, but when a professor shared his thoughts on the likelihood (or lack thereof) of getting accepted into a master's program and finding a job after, she began exploring other options. Ball said she realized she could help kids and make a positive impact as a teacher instead of a counselor.

"I knew I wanted to work with the middle school adolescent age. I like the growth at that stage. They are going through an identity crisis and trying to figure out who they are. I think that's the most crucial point to shape someone into being the adult they are going to be," she said.

"It wasn't planned, but it worked out perfectly. I get to motivate kids and help them get their legs under them and they can hopefully turn the path around if they're teetering," she added.

Ball said that the best part of her job is the diversity.

"I never have a boring day, ever. Whether good, or bad, it's never boring. I always have a story to go home with," she said.

"I really enjoy the times we get to be out of the classroom in a non-educational setting and we can bond. They are all such great kids. Even the ones who give me trouble in the classroom are completely different kids outside the classroom," Ball said.

She said the most challenging part of her position are the emotional highs and lows.

"When I'm not able to make that connection, it breaks my heart and I feel like I'm failing," she said.

Ball lives with her boyfriend and six-month old German Wirehaired Border Collie in Dayton.