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TBird Teacher Feature

TBird Teacher Feature: Meet NCHS graduate, co-prom committee chair, and chemistry teacher, Jordan Peace. Ms. Peace was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri and has a younger sister named Mariah. She first became aware that she wanted to become a teacher in 2nd grade! That year for Christmas she asked for a whiteboard and easel so she could teach her sister and toys! She had a lot of people in her life that influenced her decision to teach. She had this to say about that, “I am from a family of teachers: My dad, Mr. Peace, my grandma, aunt, and a few cousins are all teachers. But, I can also credit a lot of my own teachers for influencing me along the way. I had so many great teachers that the subject I wanted to teach changed almost year to year. Eventually, when Ms. Thornhill introduced me to chemistry I knew it was the subject for me. Chemistry can be a difficult subject to understand but I always felt Ms. Thornhill made chemistry fun and manageable; something I hope I do as well.” When asked what she looks forward to the most in working with students at NCHS, Ms. Peace said, “I love seeing chemistry click with or excite my students. However, I know chemistry isn’t the subject for everyone so my real joy is seeing the students starting to become adults and making decisions about their future. I love to talk about where they see themselves in the next year, 5 years, and beyond. ” Since Ms. Peace is also a graduate of NCHS, it is no wonder when asked what Thunderbird Proud means to her, she responded, “Thunderbird Proud to me means that you create and encourage others to create a community in which everyone feels safe and loved, and an environment that you and others look at fondly and are excited to tell others you attend/work at NCHS.” A couple of things you might not know about Ms. Peace is that she and her mother have hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and she is an avid “Survivor” fan!!! She has NEVER missed an episode and has them on dvd to watch again and again! Ms. Peace was asked to describe herself in one word and this is what she said, “Reserved. I am typically an introverted, quiet person; I have to act in 56 minute intervals everyday!” NCHS is delighted to have Ms. Peace as part of our teaching family.#ThunderbirdProud

TBird Teacher Feature

TBird Teacher Feature: Meet Russell Muhlenbruck, or as we all like to call him Senor Muhlenbruck, Spanish teacher at NCHS. Originally from Mason City, Iowa (home of fresh air and cold winters), Senor is married to his wife of 20 years, has 2 sons, Elliott and Anders, and best friend, Vito, their family dog. When asked when he first became aware of becoming a teacher, Senor had this to say, ” I didn’t ever know that I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t even know I was going to college. A lot of what occurred in my life before my 30’s was sort of chance and circumstances. I didn’t understand that I could make my own luck. I stumbled into English education after a failed art degree run. Thank you to Ms. Green for taking a chance on me and putting me into a position I never knew I wanted.” Senor’s High School Spanish teacher was an influence on him becoming a teacher. The class was different than any other in his high school. Maybe that is where he got some of his teaching style from. Senor stated, ” My Spanish teacher in high school was a tad off. Class was always interesting. I couldn’t wait to see not what we were learning, but how we were learning it. It was the only class in high school like that. Also, for a short time, I wanted to be a Sears retail manager. Luckily my wife said, “no, you are going to be a teacher.”” Senor enjoys working with NCHS students. In his words, “The students of NCHS are amazing. They are involved in so many different activities because it is a small school. It is fantastic to see all of the things that students do well.” 
Senor describes himself in one word as LOCO! A couple of interesting facts about him are 1) the last time he took a Spanish class was his senior year in high school and, 2) his family’s favorite game is called “Drawful2”. he encourages you to get it immediately! Someone who is definitely Thunderbird Proud, Senor describes the meaning as, “Thunderbird Proud is believing in someone before they believe in themselves and watching them arrive at their full potential.” NCHS is fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher! If you get the chance, whether it’s in the classroom, at a basketball or football game (Senor is our sports announcer), stop by and see Senor….. you might want to greet him ” Hola, Cómo está” #ThunderbirdProud