There are many changes occurring at Marshfield this year. One of the most noticeable changes is the eight new teachers bringing their skills to MHS students.

The new faces include English teachers Dave Delgado and Stephani Howe, Kevin Guthrie in the math department, choir and theatre teacher Allison Bassett, physical education instructor Ben Johnson, senior counselor Laura Osbon, Chad Scriven who returned to the history department after teaching at Millicoma for two years and Principal Doug Holland. They were added after multiple teachers left Marshfield last year for various reasons.

“I’m really excited about this year,” Guthrie said. “It’ll be a great learning experience.”

Howe, who previously taught middle school, said she is excited to be teaching at a high school level.

“I worked as a sixth grade teacher and it was great, but I really enjoy teaching at a higher level,” Howe said. “I find the atmosphere so much more exciting with homecoming and football games and all of that. Plus, I feel that I connect with students so much more at this level.”

Howe, who is also the new yearbook adviser, said she hopes she will be able to help keep the yearbook staff in line.

“I’m super organized so I hope that will help the yearbook staff by keeping them on track meeting deadlines and such,” Howe said.

Delgado, who previously worked as a substitute teacher for Crater High School in Central Point, Oregon, came to Marshfield looking for change.

“I chose to come here partially because my family is here but mostly because I’ve always lived in the same place. I wanted a change in scenery,” Delgado said.

Guthrie came here for similar reasons.

“I really just needed a change so I chose to come here as soon as I got the opportunity,” Guthrie said.

Although being in a new environment can be difficult, Delgado said Coos Bay has done a great job at making him feel welcome.

“Not only has Marshfield been welcoming, but Coos Bay in general has been extremely welcoming,” Delgado said.

Howe agreed.

“Everyone has been super welcoming and has greeted me with open arms, and I’ve already made some really good relationships with the staff and the students,” Howe said.

One of the difficulties these new teachers have had to face is the attitude of some of the students. Freshman Angel Perez said the new teachers get treated differently than the teachers who have been here longer.

“People are more disrespectful to the newer teachers because they have haven’t been here that long,” Perez said. “They don’t have as much experience so people feel like they can get away with more.”

However, Howe said she does not feel like she gets treated differently than anyone else.

“I don’t think that I get treated differently. Sure, my students were really quite shy around me, but it seems that they’ve gotten over it now,” Howe said.

Delgado said he has found the more experienced teachers at Marshfield to be very helpful.

“At first I thought that there would be a lot of pressure, but the senior teachers have been very helpful and supportive,” Delgado said.

Although no one knows how permanent their stay in Coos Bay will be, Dean of Students Greg Mulkey said he hopes the new teachers stay here for a long time.

“We can’t know for sure how long their stay at Marshfield will be, but hopefully it won’t be a short one,” Mulkey said.

Howe said she does not plan on leaving Marshfield anytime soon.

“I don’t know how long I’m going to stay here because I still have my family in Salem, but I certainly don’t plan on leaving anytime soon,” Howe said.