K103 is pleased to honor and support outstanding educators making a difference in the lives of students in their schools each month. Congratulations to this month’s honored educator, Natasha Flak, World Themes Teacher at Columbia River High School in Vancouver.
All of us at K103 are deeply honored to bestow the K103 Honor Roll award to Natasha Flak and Columbia River High.
Congratulations to all of the esteemed educators who are now on the K103 Honor Roll and thanks to our partner Jersey Mike’s for participating in this worthwhile program!
How many years have you been teaching?
This is my 20th year of teaching, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend them all here at Columbia River High School in Vancouver, Washington.
Why did you choose this career and why High School?
I’ve always loved working with kids, and I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was a little girl. In college we were required to do practicums in both elementary and high schools, and I really fell in love with this age level. Teenagers are becoming young adults and figuring out who they want to be-it’s a fun age. This is our last chance to inspire and challenge them to be the best citizens they can be before they venture out into the world. I also really love history and we can get really deep in the subject matter in high school.
Tell us about what sort of topics you cover in World Themes class.
World Themes is essentially World History. We start out with the Age of Exploration and end with WWII. There’s a lot of material to cover, but it’s all so interesting. We just finished the Haitian Revolution and are starting to learn about the Industrial Revolution. I teach 10thgrade(both honors and standard level) History and also Freshmen English.
What do you love most about your career?
What I love most about teaching is working with the kids. I never know what to expect and we have so much fun every day; I really do have the best job. I also love planning curriculum-creating engaging activities so the kids learn new material and skills in fun ways that keep them wanting to learn more.
Anything else you want to say about the school and your students?
Columbia River High School is a really special place. We have such a supportive and collaborative staff. My colleagues challenge me, give me new ideas, support me, laugh with me, and are the reason I am the teacher I am today. Any one of my colleagues deserves this as much as I do. I’m also so grateful to my students for nominating me. I am absolutely shocked and delighted. They are so sweet and make it a joyto come to work every day. I love what I do and feel so lucky that I get to share my days with all of them.
K103 thanks all the amazing educators who make our schools great! Each month during the school year, K103 will honor a local educator with a spot on the K103 Honor Roll. Each honored educator receives:
- $500 Gift Card for school supplies
- Engraved Commemorative Plaque + Etched glass award
- Catered lunch for the teacher's lounge from Jersey Mike's
- In-school visit and awards presentation from the K103 Morning Show
CLICK HERE to nominate your favorite educator!
