While newly hired as Iola High School’s drama and speech instructor, Regina Christienson is no stranger to IHS students.
Christienson, 25, student taught under former IHS drama instructor Jennifer Jones in 2010, then taught English for 2010-11 at Iola.
“It was my goal to teach speech and drama, but I also knew that with the economy the way it is, it was going to be competitive to get this position,” she said. “I was ecstatic” to get the job.
In addition to teaching drama and speech, Christienson assumes the role of head coach for the Iola High forensics squad. She also will serve as a technical assistant for the high school drama presentations directed once again by Iolan Richard Spencer.
Her goal with the forensics team is to continue the students’ success at competitions. She noted that last year, IHS qualified 16 students for the state competition, the maximum allowed.
While such a lofty feat has become old hat at Iola, “it’s a really big deal,” Christienson said. “There are a lot of 4A schools that cannot make that claim.
“I’ve served as an assistant forensics coach but never a head coach before,” she said. “This is exciting.”
While student teaching under Jones, Christienson served as a judge at forensics competitions.
Spencer will serve as Christienson’s assistant coach with the forensics squad.
Christienson also has worked with Spencer in the past. She portrayed Suzette in the Spencer-directed Iola Community Theatre performance of “Don’t Dress For Dinner” last spring.
In addition to her speech and drama duties, Christienson also serves as an adviser for the IHS Link Crew, a group of upperclassmen who serve as mentors and de facto student leaders for new students, to help them get acclimated to high school.
The Link Crew helped spearhead freshman orientation day on the first day of school for the newest IHS students.
And that’s just the beginning, Christienson said.
“I think their biggest impact will be in the classroom,” she said. “When the younger students see the upperclassmen taking class seriously, getting their work done, doing what they’re supposed to do, it tends to spread.”
A NATIVE of northwest Kansas, Christienson grew up in Colby, then earned her teaching degree at Fort Hays State University.
And like other fine arts instructors, Christienson is an avid supporter of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
“For a building like this to have space dedicated for the arts is tremendous,” she said. “I hope the kids are as excited to get the school year going as I am.”
