Ms. Walker

Interviewed and Written by Ella Escobar

A brilliant and dedicated young woman, Ms. Walker is the leader for the eighth grade Blue Team. Settled in the heart of the team’s pod area, she teaches various U.S history topics inside her social studies classroom. On this issue of the Pirate Newspaper, I had the privilege of interviewing her, and she willingly shared several fascinating details from different aspects of her life.

“I became a teacher because I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of students. School was always challenging for me when I was in middle school, and I never had someone I felt I could reach out to at school. This is my sixth year teaching 8th grade US history, and I am lucky to say I have taught in the same room all six years. I sponsor the Student Council. An important part of my job is fostering civic engagement in the real-world. I am a graduate student at IU Bloomington where I am working on my degree in the Educational Leadership program. It is my dream to earn my PhD in Education Policy to help improve the quality and outcomes of public education. I am a mother of three children--17, 16, and 8. In addition to spending time with my family, I am an educational historian and comparative researcher. My research focuses on educational inequalities based on race, gender, national origin, physical ability, and socio-economic status. I study how personal identity is influenced by educational theories and practices across time and locations. There are many places I would love to see. As a historian and lover of anthropology, I think the list is endless. Unfortunately, I hate flying and being away from home. It really is a catch-22. My heroes are all of the outspoken, courageous women that have come before me that have paved the way for me to have access to things like education, political rights, and rights over myself and my property. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr once said, "No one is free until we are all free." What makes my job truly special are the wonderful students that I get to meet each year. They stretch my understanding and views while inspiring me to improve my practice in the classroom.”

Mrs. Leslie

Interviewed and Written by Aria Johnson

Mrs. Lesslie started working in Merrillville in 1994, but started full time teaching in 1998. One of her favorite hobbies is to garden when the weather is nice. Two of her favorite book series are Percy Jackson and Harry Potter. Her favorite movie is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and her favorite TV show currently is The Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+. She also has a favorite cartoon which is Phineas and Ferb. Her favorite seasons are Spring and Summer because she is able to garden.

Mrs. Peloza

Interviewed and Written by Malia Arce

Mrs. Peloza is the 8th grade Purple Team English teacher. She has holiday traditions that are the same every year, but no made up ones. She is a teacher because she really likes English and she’s always just had a passion for it. When I asked what places she traveled she said that she was embarrassed by how much she hasn’t traveled, but she has been to Florida, Wisconsin and Mexico. If Mrs. Peloza could go anywhere in the world, she said she would go “somewhere in the Caribbean.” One thing Mrs. Peloza doesn’t like about the world is “the way people treat each other,” but one thing she would change in this world is “how middle schoolers feel about writing.” Her favorite show or movie was… she was really, really bad at sitting in front of a TV and she really doesn't even watch TV. Plus, she also hates paying the cable bill every month. Mrs. Peloza’s favorite food is tacos and her favorite animals are elephants. Lastly, some of Mrs. Peloza’s hobbies are that she does a lot of mom stuff and she also does writing and painting.

Mr. Dyman

Interviewed and Written by Autumn Underwood

Mr. Dyman is the 8th grade Purple Team Social Studies teacher. He believes the most interesting thing he has taught in Social Studies is GBP classified information for the government.  He thinks that things like this secrecy limit education and education is the key to freedom and without education there would be no freedom. Something he would change about the school is he would make sure kids feel like they should be themselves because he thinks kids need to still be able to be themselves. He believes that putting comedy into things and spreading happiness all throughout the school would teach students that they can be themselves and it would make it a lot more fun to learn. Mr. Dyman became a Social Studies teacher to build relationships with children because they are the future. His favorite show is SpongeBob and his favorite movie is Jurassic Park. His favorite holiday is Halloween because he really enjoys things inside the paranormal world. If there was any other job he would want to work, he would be a private security contractor. He comes from a military family and he would be good at that job. His favorite brands of clothing are Cabelas and Levis. If there was anything he’d do, he would start an orphanage where it is not a shelter. He would make sure that the children have an education and the family is able to take care of them.

Mrs. Dokich

Interviewed and Written by Aowen Kiel

Mrs. Dokich is the 8th grade Blue Team English teacher. Her most favorite family tradition is Peep Jousting. Her family puts specific colored Peeps on a toothpick and puts it in the microwave. The first Peep to get the other with its toothpick wins. The prize is something like the first piece of cake. She says, “It’s fun and it’s ridiculous and I love it.” The one store she would pick if everything was completely free would be Meijer, especially if their gas station counts. Mrs. Dokich’s fondest high school memory was when her team was on their way to a bible tournament, and their minivan got stuck in a ditch. Someone then stopped by and asked them if they were okay. When they reached the church they spent the afternoon watching movies and eating cookies. What motivates her to work hard is taking great pride in knowing she has done something to the best of her ability. She says, “I also want to set an example for my students and my daughter.” Mrs. Dokich’s favorite cheesy-pickup line is this: Me: Excuse me, how much does a polar bear weigh? Them: I don’t know. Me: Enough to break the ice. Hi, I’m Name.

Ms. Wright

Interviewed and Written by Derrick Mabon

Ms. Wright is the 7th grade assistant principal. This is her first year at Clifford Pierce Middle School, but comes with years of experience. She wanted to be a principal because she wants to make a difference in the lives of teachers and students. Her motivation is student academic success. She grew up in East Chicago, then moved to Gary in eighth grade. Her favorite sport is basketball with her favorite player being Kobe Bryant. In her free time, she likes shopping, spending time with family and friends, and vacationing in different areas of the world. Her free shopping pass would be used at Louis Vuitton. She also loves the way her family celebrates Christmas. 

Mr. Sajkich

Interviewed and Written by D'arryel Bowens

Also Written by Rajess Ragoo

Mr. Sajkich is a 7th grade Green Team Social Studies teacher. Mr.Sajkich became a social studies teacher because he enjoys history and has a passion for teaching it. He said his job is important because “I can educate the future generations.” He has been teaching for four years. His favorite sports are  baseball and football. He also said he has no pets.