After six weeks without an official photography teacher, Ms. Danica Cleveland will start her position as the new photo teacher after spring break. Ms. Cleveland is familiar with the school and has background in art and photography.

Mr. Donavan Oakleaf was substituting the classes while the school looked for a new teacher. Mr. Joseph Boyer, who taught the class for five years, left at the end of the fall semester.

Assistant Principal Craig Alessi said that he is glad that they have finally found a teacher that is qualified for the job. “I’m very excited. Woo hoo!” said Mr. Alessi.

Mr. Oakleaf (“like a leaf from an oak tree” he says) said he has been lucky to have such cool students.

He is sure they will excel in photography and he hopes that they are as good to the new teacher as they have been to him.



Mr. Oakleaf, despite not teaching photography, got to know the students, memorized their names, and he enjoyed the time spent with his classes. He led the class as a study hall.

Often when students would get off task or get bored he would say, “You are not your shoes, you are your attention span.”

His advice to the new teacher he joked: “(pause)… Stay strong, fight the power, keep it real, eat your vegetables.” He added, “Make this day and every day a good day, um the choice is yours, Gondo Pride! Y’know?”