Nine New Faces at AHS

Guy Somers would describe himself as a “highly creative person.” His interests range from theatrical makeup to the art of chess. He loves music, art, acting, and teaching. Somers considers himself to be a “strategist.”  Somers teaches the new iJAG program at AHS. iJAG stands for Iowa Jobs for America's Graduates. According to the iJAG website, it calls itself "the premier non-profit organiz...

Dr. Pepper and Leonardo DiCaprio dominate Room #303. Robert Astuni, the new English Three and Creative Writing teacher for AHS, is passionate about both. He loves Dr. Pepper and admires DiCaprio. Astuni was raised in Parlin, NJ. Before completing his teaching internships at Linden High School, he dropped out of college twice. Originally, he was set on accounting, but after falling in love with...

When Matthew Best isn’t coaching in the weight room, you can find him at home spending time with his girlfriend of two years, his dog, and two cats.  Best took the physical education/weights teaching position at AHS.  Previously, he taught at Ridgeview in Holstein, Iowa, for seven years.  At Ridgeview, he not only taught physical education/weights, but was the assistant coach for football, track, girl...

Bryce Smith is one of many new staff members who have been welcomed to Atlantic High School. Smith went to North Des Moines High School. He got his degree at Iowa State University in kinesiology and health. He initially started in the medical field wanting to be an athletic trainer, although physical ed and health are his fortes. At AHS, Smith is teaching Aviation and Student Support Services. Smith...

“I wanted to help students discover their potential and grow in their academics,” said Cayleigh McBee. Her passion for teaching started at a young age which she described as a “typical child with a million aspirations.” She has done some form of teaching since she graduated eight years ago. McBee teaches Special Education at AHS. McBee grew up in Joliet, Ill. She lived in the Chicago suburbs f...

Government, psychology, and sociology classes at Atlantic High School are taught by Holly Esbeck, a Griswold High School alumna. She said her favorite class to teach is “a toss-up between government and psychology.” She attended Iowa Western Community College and Drury University as well as Buena Vista University and just started her third year of teaching. Esbeck loves spending time with her husband,...

“I enjoy building relationships with kids and enjoy seeing them progress through high school,” Evan Adamon, the new vocal teacher, said. “My main focus is to build a sense of community within the group and to get everyone on the same page. Working hard, striving for excellence, and having fun.”   Adamon has been teaching for four years in the Underwood schools, grades 6-12. Adamon’s main ...

Jesse McCann was interested in everything growing up. He was involved in sports, music, drama, but he was widely known for his love of singing. He grew up in Greenfield, Iowa, which he enjoyed. The town is small enough that everyone knew everyone and created a nice community for growing up.  After high school, he attended Northwest College in Orange City where he studied elementary education with an e...

From chemistry and physics to chess and reading, the newest addition to Atlantic High School’s 400 hallway has a diverse range of knowledge and a passion for changing lives. James Todd was born in Portland, Ore., and lived there until he moved to Mount Vernon, Iowa, to attend Cornell College for four years. He moved around a few more times before finding himself here in Atlantic. “I very mu...