By Caryn Ben
West Hills Press
West Hills MS
1st Place
Division MS, News Writing
News Writing
Unfortunately West Hills recently had to say goodbye to some of its staff members who have been here for a long time. But that means that we have some new teachers to get to know: Mrs. Stringfellow, Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Ostheimer.
Mrs. Stingfellow is our new face in the 4th- and 5th-grade wing. She took over Mrs. Carlson’s classroom when Mrs. Carlson moved into the GERT room.
Mrs. Stringfellow has taught for many years. “For the past 18 years I was a special education teacher for Detroit Public Schools. I came to West Hills because there was a fabulous career opportunity,” said Mrs. Stringfellow.
Though she only has one child, Dylan, Mrs. Stringfellow has a full house at home. “My husband and I have a house full of pets — Sadie and Cooter, our two 14-year-old dogs, Swimmy the turtle, and Lucy and Ethel, our guinea pigs. My son, Dylan, is eight and in 2nd grade at Trombly Elementary School in Grosse Pointe Park,” said Mrs. Stringfellow.
Mrs. Stringfellow has enjoyed the mild winter this year. “My pet peeve is wiping the snow off my car.” she said. “My hobbies are cooking, gardening, reading, rescuing dogs, skiing and crafts.”
“I love my job!” added Mrs. Stringfellow. “Everyone at West Hills has been so welcoming and helpful.”
Mrs. Jones is our new addition to the front office. She is the attendance secretary.
came to West Hills to replace Mrs.Wendell, who unfortunately retired after many years at West Hills,” said Mrs. Jones.
“I absolutely love my new job! I am so excited to come in every morning. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I am so happy to be in this wonderful environment. I feel so fortunate to be a member of the West Hills staff, and am trying my best to learn everyone’s name,” she said.
Mrs. Jones feels right at home in our busy office. “Before coming to West Hills, I worked for FCA LLC which was formerly known as Chrysler,” she said.
Mrs. Jones has a busy life outside of work. “I love to do many things in my spare time. I love gardening, reading mystery books, taking care of our two dogs, one cat and some fish and driving my 12-year-old daughter, Maya, to the mall!” said Mrs. Jones.
Stop by the office and say hello to Mrs. Jones, but don’t cut in front of anyone. “My pet peeve is mean, inconsiderate drivers!” she said.
Mrs. Ostheimer is the new ESL teacher for grades 6-8.
“Before I came to West Hills, I was a teacher at Sashabaw Middle School in Clarkston for 15 years. I taught ESL, French, Spanish, World Languages and reading,” said Mrs. Ostheimer. “I live in Clarkston, and am married with two children. My son, Noah, is a 6th-grader and my daughter, Sarah, is a 3rd-grader. I have a dog named Sofie. She’s a Pointer. I lived in France while I was a university student, and I used to work as a French interpreter for Northwest Airlines before they became Delta, and before I became a teacher.”
When asked why she decided to work at West Hills, Mrs. Ostheimer said, “I came to West Hills because I want to work with newcomers. I knew what a great reputation Bloomfield Hills has, and felt that I would be able to do what I love in a terrific place.”
Mrs. Ostheimer keeps herself busy in her non-work hours with many hobbies. “I love running, (my favorite distance is the half marathon, and I’ll be running three half marathons in 2017), knitting, spinning wool, sewing, baking, traveling, reading, hand lettering and volunteering. I’m also currently writing a novel.”
Mrs. Ostheimer does have a couple of pet peeves. “I’m pretty easygoing, but I do have a few pet peeves, for example, I do not like any words that are made plural by adding an ’s, for example, writing dog’s when it should be dogs.” said Mrs. Ostheimer. “ Also, I don’t like when people keep looking at their phones as they’re talking with me, or when people sneeze and don’t cover their mouth.”
Mrs. Ostheimer echoes Mrs. Jones’s and Mrs. Stringfellow’s opinion of their new jobs. “I LOVE my new job! I really enjoy working with the students and feel like this transition was meant to be.”