Freshmen and transfer students aren’t the only people new to MHS. Richard Regina, sophomore principal, said there are 20 new faculty members in the building this year.

Jaclyn Malke, French teacher, is one of the 20. She taught one year at the St. Louis Language Immersion Schools in the French department before transferring to teaching French I, II and III at MHS. Malke said she wanted to work with older students at the high school level.

“I love working with kids, and I love seeing them progress in language and learn about other cultures,” Malke said.

This school year, Malke said she most looks forward to getting to know all of her students.

“My teaching style is very interactive,” Malke said. “I try to be more of a facilitator. I’m trying to get the kids to be confident in speaking French.”

Emma Bruere, sophomore and French III student, said Malke uses a very auditory teaching style.

“She speaks in French all the time,” Bruere said. “It’s definitely a step up from French II.”

Another teacher new to MHS is Blake Johnson, ninth and tenth grade language arts teacher. He taught at CBC for three years before working here. Johnson is also the coach of the freshmen boys soccer team.

“I’m looking forward to watching my students grow from where they are in this first week of school to where they will be in the last week,” Johnson said.

Johnson said his favorite part about being a teacher is knowing that he is making a positive influence on young people.

“I love Marquette,” Johnson said. “The students are great.”

Blake Davis, sophomore, said Johnson is very professional in class.

“You would see him working at an office building rather than a high school,” Davis said.

Ryan Bixby, chemistry teacher, transferred to MHS after teaching chemistry at Lafayette for 7 years.

“He seems really enthusiastic about chemistry, and he wants to make it fun for his students,” Sara Winkler, sophomore, said.

Winkler said Bixby tells funny stories to his classes to make his students more interested in what they’re learning.

“He’s really funny and a good teacher,” Winkler said.

McKenna Peters, history teacher, transferred from Lindbergh High School to teaching US History and World History at MHS. She taught at Lindbergh for three years.

“I had a lot of important teachers in my life that really helped me grow as a historian,” Peters said. “They always encouraged me to go into teaching because I was always tutoring my friends. They said it would be a good fit for me, and I’ve been with it ever since.”

Peters said she wanted to teach at MHS because she’s heard nothing but good things about the school.

“I love it,” Peters said. “It’s such a warm atmosphere, the kids are super friendly and it’s just a great place to work.”