Setting the Foundation: New Teacher Takes on Debate and Journalism Intro Classes

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLIE BLODNIEKS

BY CHARLIE BLODNIEKS

Amongst the chaos of planning for four different classes, Cooper City High School’s newest face on staff manages to don a glowing smile. Throughout the day, room 4023 runs the gamut of tenants, ranging from aggressive debaters to timid ninth grade English students; all are greeted with open arms and a warmth of character. Teaching four different curriculums is no simple task – for some people, it may seem to be an impossible matter. For newly-hired Wendy Schauben, it’s a chance to show CCHS who she is.

A recent University of Central Florida graduate, Schauben entered CCHS with high hopes of a prosperous year. In high school, she competed in Interp., a debate category centering around interpreting literature, poetry, and plays. Obviously, her love for English sparked early, kindling into a flame enveloping even her debate life. Creative writing degree in hand, Schauben entered the world of Tilson PR (Public Relations) to commence her transition into the working world. At Tilson, she organized interviews from behind the scenes – she was in constant communication with TV Broadcasters, newspaper journalists, and magazine reporters. Out of public relations, Schauben followed her passion for words and became an English teacher.

“After college, I worked for a public relations firm, so that is where my journalism background comes into play.” Schauben said. “I worked with media every single day. I did interviews, and I really set up a lot of sources for people to speak. I prepped from the back end.”

Now a teacher of English 1 Honors, Debate 1, Advanced Debate, and Intro to Journalism, Schauben has quite the year laying ahead of her. The Debate program, run by Government and Economics teacher Melvin Tanner for the last seven years of its operation, has a legacy of success – a legacy Schauben hopes to carry on. As a teacher of two different intro courses, her job is to set the foundation for these students to continue the trade they’re interested in, be it newspaper, yearbook, or varsity level debate. Despite carrying a passion for English, Schauben is taking the title of Intro to Journalism teacher and Debate Coach with pride. The next era of CCHS communications lay on her shoulders; what she puts forth for her novice debaters and aspiring journalists sets the precedent for the rest of their high school careers, and, in turn, the programs’ futures.

“Ms. Schauben will be able to bring the debate program a considerable amount of enthusiasm and excitement.” Tanner said. “It’s always wonderful when you get fresh ideas into a program, and she has so far demonstrated that she will be a great asset to us.” 

With four preps, six classes, and an intensive club to run, Schauben is ready to take the year by storm; this challenge she faces with optimism, taking it as an opportunity to grow with the students. She is setting the building blocks for the future of communications at Cooper City High School, giving her students their space to grow to their full potential. As these beginning debaters, journalists, and writers grow to take over these prestigious programs, the full extent of Schauben’s efforts will be evident. Her main goal is to facilitate the growth of these beginners, and, for the varsity debaters, allow them to continue on their paths to success. Where many would see this daunting task as a chance for failure, Schauben faces it, chin up, with a sort of intrinsic optimism.

“[My goal is] to really let them fly when it comes to practices and giving them the time so they can teach each other,” Schauben said. “That’s really what I try to push, because it’s not just me standing up – it’s them teaching each other because everyone has their own experiences and their own background knowledge.”