Next year, several staff changes will happening at Bethany. There will be a shift in position, and a few heartfelt farewells. These people include: Benji Hurst, Barbara Slagel, Gwendolyn Kelly, and Rachel Sawatzky.
Benji Hurst, who is currently the Athletic Director and assistant Sightline teacher, will be changing his position in a number of ways. Next year he will not be the Athletic Director. He will be the Sightline teacher, taking on the position alone. He will also be teaching high school IT classes. Benji will also be involved with the 6th graders, teaching a digital communications class and PE, as well as doing interscholastic tech support for the lower school.
Gwendolyn Kelly, currently subbing and working with the 6th grade history class, is considering returning to Angola, Indiana where she attended college and plans to teach at Prairie Heights. As of now, her hopes are to continue teaching middle school or high school, and to begin coaching. Gwen has also considered going to law school in the next few years.
Barbara Slagel, currently the high school Orchestra and Economics teacher, will be leaving next year. At the moment, Barbara is assigned a permanent position to be a part of the Elkhart Municipal Band. In this band, she has been invited to play in the concert band, Twin Cities. She has been hired as an ETS (Praxis II), in which she will rate exams that potential music teachers hand in to get a licence. Barbara also hopes to get a job working at a public school, possibly teaching middle school math, science, and music.
Rachel Sawatzky, currently the Admissions Counselor, plans on moving to Harrisonburg, VA over the summer to live with her family and husband. She will be working at Eastern Mennonite University as the Director of Student Programs and Orientation in the Student Life Offices. Some of what this position includes is being in charge of the student orientation, intramural programs, the fitness center, the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, Campus Activities Council. She is excited for her future job, however, she said, “I will really miss the Bethany community and will never forget this wonderful place.”
As each of these staff members leave the school or leave a certain position, we reflect on the highlights that we remember of their positions, each specific to every student. Be sure to talk to Benji, Gwen, Barbara, and Rachel these next few days, letting them know how their positions and service at Bethany has impacted you. All of us on the Sightline staff wish them well and look forward to hearing from them again.
~ Ashley Brugh