On Feb. 7, the junior class underwent a change in their English classes. At the beginning of the school year, Ms. Amanda Hryckowian was a long-term substitute teacher for the eleventh grade English classes after former teacher Ms. Catherine Schultz resigned. The classes are now taught by Mr. Kenneth Dickey. 

Dickey is not only a teacher, but he also spent 20 years in the United States Air Force. He worked on aircrafts there, specifically F-16s. These planes are fighter jets; they are compact and can play many roles in the Air Force. Dickey has traveled to many different countries and locations as well. Some of his favorite places he has seen are Greece and Poland. 

Dickey has only been a teacher for five months, but he was an instructor in the Air Force for six years. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in teaching and education. Outside of his work and school life, Dickey has three daughters. He also enjoys activities such as theater and camping, as well as spending his time outdoors.

“My favorite part about Freedom so far is the students and how they are willing to accept new things and their ability to learn,” Dickey said. 

The switching of the two teachers in the middle of the year was a big change for students. Getting used to a new teacher is not always easy, especially when it comes to school work and assignments. Since Dickey has started, students have transitioned to learning about topics such as Shakespeare and different types of literature. They also have daily vocabulary words and journal entries. 

“I think he has become more fun since he started. We also have done a lot more work which pushes us to be better students and work on our time management skills,” junior Annaray Hatt said.

Dickey also teaches CCBC (Community College of Beaver County) classes as well. This is an English class that students are offered to take in their junior and senior years in exchange for college credits. However, there is a small tuition fee in order to take the class. So far students have been learning about poetry over the last month. Many students have been able to adjust to a new teacher perfectly fine. 

“Mr. Dickey is a great teacher, and I am glad I am able to be one of his students this year,” Hatt said.