Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Video Games
briantonkin55@msn.com

As students we have a tendency to dehumanize our faculty. We ignore the fact that they are very busy, not only making and grading papers, but turning a seemingly dull classroom into a lively and involving environment. In that sense, Math teachers definitely have a difficult task, which is why people like Mr. Call certainly don’t go unnoticed.

In his two years as a Math teacher, Mr. Call has quickly gained popularity among the students of Alta. He began teaching almost immediately after graduating with a degree in Mathematics Education from Utah Valley University.

However, most students know Mr. Call only as the math teacher, but I had the chance to meet him outside his role as a teacher. We talked about his best memories at Alta, which is seeing Mrs. Hyer busting a move at the opening assembly, as well as his ideal summer vacation… a safari in the African savannah. Mr. Call is a big fan of his two Honda cars and his Apple brand computer.

If there was one piece of advice he could give to his students, it would be to come to class, participation is what makes a good grade.

_Brian Tonkin
Teacher Features/ Video Games
briantonkin55@msn.com

Out of all of the available CTE classes, many people choose to take technology classes. The Art Department seems to be a very popular place to go to class. But what would these classes be like without a good/ entertaining teacher to run them. Alta High School’s Visual Arts teacher, Richard Caldwell, has been at the school for twenty years. With every new development in software, he has always kept up to date and passed on his technological knowledge to his many students.

However, he didn’t start of his adult life as a teacher. In his first years out of college, Mr. Caldwell helped design Liberty Square in the world famous amusement park, Disneyland. Later, at the age of 21, he was drafted to the United States Armed Forces, at the ends of the Vietnam War. Mr. Caldwell moved in and out of countless military bases throughout the nation, and, in some cases, the world.

In 1992, Caldwell ended his twenty year military career and began teaching at Alta high school. Caldwell continues to show great support for the U.S. Army and all four of his sons have been in the military, three of which are still serving.

Currently, Mr. Caldwell is teaching Digital Photo, Multimedia, and 3d Animations. Anyone interested in photography or technology has likely taken a class with him before... or at least should shortly.