When the year started, freshman weren’t the only ones who began new things. Also taking his first steps into a new curriculum was Herr Matthew Braun, a German language teacher who began teaching English IV this year.

Braun said he enjoyed teaching English as, rather than worry about teaching students about the mechanics and depth of a new language, he can rather focus on what the students think.

“We get to cover some pretty interesting themes and they’ve actually had a lot of neat insights,” Braun said.

Of the novels and reading they have done this year, Braun is torn between Beowulf and Brave New World for his favorite.

“I like the dystopian novels, but i also like dudes swinging axes and swords… I enjoy them both for different reasons,” he said.

Herr Braun says he likes his English IV team of teachers, who have been a great help to him throughout the year.

“I like English teachers in general,” he said, “they’re very well read and always have something insightful and interesting to say.”

He would also like to thank teachers Dana Arnold and Cynthia Rausch, who have been especially instrumental in helping him.

Aside from being an ESL tutor last year and teaching an English II class shortly a couple of years ago, this year marks Braun’s first as teaching English constantly.