Mr. Machschefes, in his first year at CKM, has had a successful year teaching mathematics. He teaches Integrated Math 1 and Integrated Math 2 in Room 26A, which used to be an art room. Mr. Machschefes taught at other schools as well, “I spent a couple years in Merlin, Oregon, and I taught at middle schools and elementary schools there for seven years,” said Mr. Machschefes.
One of the many reasons why Machschefes moved to CKM was because for many years, school districts mainly gave out temporary contracts. CKM wasn’t like the rest, “McClatchy offered me a full-time position. McClatchy is close to home, and I felt welcomed by staff and admin, which is different from what I experienced in the past, and I appreciate that a lot,” said Mr. Machschefes.
Students enjoy having Mr. Machschefes as a teacher, because of his dedication and passion for math. To Mr. Machschefes, mathematics is a step by step process that requires skill and thought, “I often push students to really use their brains instead of just crunching numbers.” Machschefes aims to make a change in the lives of students through his class.
Mr. Machschefes remembers a quote he once read while growing up, “When you are young, you’ll learn. When you are in your middle ages, you will do, and when you are older, you teach.” Such an idea was very prevalent in Mr. Machschefes’ life and his career, “I didn’t plan to teach right after college or out of high school, so I worked in the construction industry for more than a dozen years. When an opportunity came up to getting into teaching, I took that opportunity.”
Mr. Machschefes attended to City College of San Francisco, known as Harvard On a Hill, then he went to California State University, finished up with his construction and technology degree. He began teaching in 1996, and has taught a variety of grade levels since.
Mr. Machschefes enjoys McClatchy more than other schools he has worked at, as he has felt welcomed by staff and administration, “I haven’t felt any hostility here. I’ve seen other schools where teachers attack each other, admin attacking teachers, students being very difficult, and I run into much less of that here. I feel supported by both staff and admin, I really appreciate that,” he commented. Mr. Machschefes hopes to stay at CKM for a long period of time to continue helping students out with math.