By Jaden Wright
La Cueva High School has many elective options. Struggling to choose? With registration upon us, consider these three new classes. You will hear from three new class teachers on what makes their class special.
Health Careers
In Health Careers students will learn about health care careers in and out of the classroom.
Teacher Brian Kruis said, “This class should be a valuable stepping stone for people pursuing health careers.”
To expand the program outside the classroom, Kruis talked about having students go to local elementary and middle schools to teach younger students about health-related topics. He also talked about exploring local hospitals and possibly nursing homes.
With a family background in health, Kruis is excited to share his knowledge with the world and get these kids ready for the future. For anyone thinking about pursuing a health career, this class is the place to start. It will have many hands-on activities from collaborative projects to off-campus visits.
Health Careers teacher Brian Kruis
AP Capstone
AP Capstone has been around for awhile, but now students can earn an English credit in the first year -- whereas before students took the first year as an elective.
“The gist of the class is to teach students how to read, write, and present at a college level,” said Michael Sanchez, who teaches Capstone with Dr. Casey Soto.
Students learn how to research, write about, and present their findings.
The class is “challenging but self driven,” Sanchez said. “It gives you freedom to research and present any given topic.”
Past student research topics have included the best ways to terraform Mars and studies of women's rights in fictional TV shows. “It's a very customizable class,” Sanchez said.
AP Capstone teacher Michel Sanchez holds up a poster for his class.
eSports Class
Teacher Nicholas Romero’s eSports class is going to be exciting and fun, he said, and he will bring his own background and passion to the topic.
“I was not your typical kid,” Romero said. “I grew up loving video games and I want to pass down what I learned and know they have people like them.”
Students will work on a “digital portfolio” of assignments during the year. “This class will be a 50/50 split of playing games and work. It will be a good balance,” said Romero, who is also the school’s eSports club coach.
“The main goal is to learn about the eSports industry,” Romero said. “It is a new and growing industry and these kids can have fun as they learn.”
When asked why students should take the class, Romero said, “I think this class will be one of the most fun classes to choose from. However, there is the fear of being looked at as different or picked on by choosing this class. But that is not at all the case if this is something that even a little interests you.”
Nicholas Romero, holding up a trophy from his eSports club, is getting ready to teach the new eSports elective.