TEACHERS ON MATERNITY LEAVE
Baby Fever Hits Rose Faculty
BY SARA YOUNG ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
Spanish teacher Ashely Smith's new baby Melanie Sarah Smith.
From pens and pencils to pacifiers and Pampers, several Rose teachers have recently entered the new world of parenthood.
Spanish teacher Ashley Smith, formerly known as Ashley Watson, recently had a baby girl. Melanie Sarah Smith was born on Friday, August 22 at 11:20 p.m. Smith is on maternity leave until October 13 if all goes well.
A new baby also arrived over the summer in the household of Liza and Russell Knight. The baby’s name is Logan William Knight. He was born on August 12 at 8:12 p.m.
Maternity leave typically extends during the mother’s pregnancy into the first few weeks of the baby’s life. Students usually meet their teachers on the first day of school. Many students were surprised to see a substitute instead of their actual teacher. Mr. Pierce is the substitute for Knight, and Mr. Mondragon is the substitute for Smith. Senior Shamin Jamadar, a student of Liza Knight, admits she was a little concerned at first.
"I was a bit worried that we wouldn't get the information we would need for the AP exam, but honestly Mr. Pierce is a really good teacher," Jamadar said.
Each substitute affects students in different ways.
Freshman Griffin Curtis is in one of Smith's Spanish classes, and said that the change did not bother him.
"It wasn't really a difference because I don't know the actual teacher," Curtis said.
However, Curtis thinks the class is possibly easier for now with a substitute.
"Substitutes don't always assign the hard part,” Curtis said.
He expects that there will be more instruction when Smith returns.
Smith said she is enjoying her time at home with her new bundle of joy.
"This is a new and exciting adventure that I'm happily embracing with my husband,” Smith said. “We are in love with our little girl."
However, taking care of a newborn is not a simple task.
"On average, I get two to four hours of sleep depending on how hungry she is or how many diapers need to be changed," Smith said.
As time goes on, taking care of the baby gets easier and easier.
"She's getting used to a feeding schedule which is very helpful,” Smith said. “Also, when she sleeps, we sleep so that we try to get enough rest."
Raising baby Melanie to speak both English and Spanish is crucial to the Smiths.
"I have already begun to speak in Spanish and English to her,” Smith said. “It is very important to us that she be bilingual."
In just a few weeks, Smith and Knight will be back in their classrooms. They may be a little sleep deprived, but they will certainly have lots of stories to share about our newest little Rampants.
Spanish teacher Ashley Smith, formerly known as Ashley Watson, recently had a baby girl. Melanie Sarah Smith was born on Friday, August 22 at 11:20 p.m. Smith is on maternity leave until October 13 if all goes well.
A new baby also arrived over the summer in the household of Liza and Russell Knight. The baby’s name is Logan William Knight. He was born on August 12 at 8:12 p.m.
Maternity leave typically extends during the mother’s pregnancy into the first few weeks of the baby’s life. Students usually meet their teachers on the first day of school. Many students were surprised to see a substitute instead of their actual teacher. Mr. Pierce is the substitute for Knight, and Mr. Mondragon is the substitute for Smith. Senior Shamin Jamadar, a student of Liza Knight, admits she was a little concerned at first.
"I was a bit worried that we wouldn't get the information we would need for the AP exam, but honestly Mr. Pierce is a really good teacher," Jamadar said.
Each substitute affects students in different ways.
Freshman Griffin Curtis is in one of Smith's Spanish classes, and said that the change did not bother him.
"It wasn't really a difference because I don't know the actual teacher," Curtis said.
However, Curtis thinks the class is possibly easier for now with a substitute.
"Substitutes don't always assign the hard part,” Curtis said.
He expects that there will be more instruction when Smith returns.
Smith said she is enjoying her time at home with her new bundle of joy.
"This is a new and exciting adventure that I'm happily embracing with my husband,” Smith said. “We are in love with our little girl."
However, taking care of a newborn is not a simple task.
"On average, I get two to four hours of sleep depending on how hungry she is or how many diapers need to be changed," Smith said.
As time goes on, taking care of the baby gets easier and easier.
"She's getting used to a feeding schedule which is very helpful,” Smith said. “Also, when she sleeps, we sleep so that we try to get enough rest."
Raising baby Melanie to speak both English and Spanish is crucial to the Smiths.
"I have already begun to speak in Spanish and English to her,” Smith said. “It is very important to us that she be bilingual."
In just a few weeks, Smith and Knight will be back in their classrooms. They may be a little sleep deprived, but they will certainly have lots of stories to share about our newest little Rampants.