A long time coming

Edward Valencia, Writer/Parents and Teachers Editor

October 18, 2013

For the month of September, ASB members announce English teacher, Mr. David Kraus, as Teacher of the Month. Mr. Kraus has been teaching English at Downey High for the past four years.

English teacher Mr. Kraus, in his fourth year teaching at Downey High, has been awarded Teacher of the Month Award for September.

Although Kraus has taught different levels of English, such as 9^th through 11^th grade English, teaching was not his first job.

“I was a mechanic in the Air Force,” Kraus said. “While in the military, they gave me money for school and I took classes.”

After leaving the Air Force, Kraus attended Cal State Long Beach and majored in English with a minor in Creative Writing.

Kraus’s first teaching job out of college was teaching English at La Serna High School in Whittier. He then accepted an offer from Downey High to teach English 9 and 11. He now teaches 10^th grade English. He enjoys teaching high school students because he feels he can have a mature conversation with them.

“I love [teaching high school students],” Kraus said. There’s a freedom there to talk to people about important issues.”

Kraus feels that the biggest challenge, or problem, facing him is the fact that he can’t help every single student of his succeed.

“I wish I could help every one of my students,” Kraus said.

Friend and colleague, Mr. Rios, met Kraus through coaching the JV football team, and knew that he deserved an award.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t look up to him,” Rios said. “I think it’s overdue.”

English teacher, Ms. Stratford also commends Kraus’s teaching.

“He’s a great teacher,” Stratford said. “We can learn a lot from each other.”

Kraus’s life has changed drastically since he left the Air Force. He’s glad that he became an English teacher and that he has the opportunity to help students succeed academically.

“I feel happy when I wake up in the morning,” Kraus said. “I’m happy that I can help students. I love doing what I do.”

Mr. Kraus feels privileged to have been awarded Teacher of the Month. He looks forward to the future, and wants to use his minor in Creative Writing to publish short stories.

About the Contributors

Edward Valencia, Writer/Parents and Teachers Editor

Senior Edward Valencia seems to have it all figured out, with his positive attitude and dreams towards becoming a journalist. Valencia knows what he wants and where he wishes to go. He is constantly striving to get his voice heard which is one of the reasons why he decided to become a writer for the The Downey Legend. Valencia’s determination and optimism is what is going to be his rock in his journey to be successful. His interests in being a writer are to express himself in the most non-biased way possible. When Valencia isn’t busy preparing for his future wishes in journalism, he is off playing Call of Duty and listening to The Beatles. Since Valencia often keeps an open mind when it comes to the future he knows he can come to be successful and wishes to major in Political Science and wants to work for Time magazine. Valencia seems to be pretty content on how he is doing. “I’m just looking for the best path that fits me,” Valencia said.

Amanda Lira, Photographer/Photo Editor

Among the returning members of The Downey Legend is Amanda Lira, who had personal motives to join the online newspaper. Lira who currently holds the position of Photo Editor was in junior high when she began to take an interest in photography and decided her dream was to work for a magazine. However, as time passed her gears began to shift toward medicine; but in spite of that, she never lost her passion for photography. “I joined ROP for sports medicine; my goal is to be in Skills USA this year,” Lira said. “I also decided to return to newspaper to meet new people and to feel like a part of something; we are like a little family.” Lira’s current dream is to attend San Francisco State and major in physical therapy. Aside from photography and medicine, Lira enjoys going to the beach with her cousin Lupe and watching Johnny Depp and Bradley Cooper movies. Lira’s aspirations have guided her decisions, from choosing to apply for newspaper, and taking ROP sports medicine. “I think it’s a big achievement¾becoming Photo Editor, and this year I plan on giving it everything,” Lira said. “It’s my senior year and the first step to getting where I want to be.”