Benhower to step in as SHS art teacher

Bethany Benhower recently received word that she'd been selected as Sisters High School's new art teacher for next fall. Benhower will replace her mentor, teacher and friend, Mike Baynes, who will retire at the end of this year after 33 amazing years of teaching.

Benhower lived in Sisters until she was six years old and then moved to Camp Sherman with her family. She graduated from SHS in 2003 and went on to get her BA in Studio Art from Westmont College. Benhower continued her education at George Fox University's satellite campus in Redmond and graduated in April 2009 with her MAT (Masters of Art in Teaching) degree.

Bethany was a student teacher at Sisters Middle School in November and December of 2008 with Carolyn Platt, and then student-taught at Sisters High School, February to April of 2009, with Mike Baynes.

Benhower recalls great memories of her time as a student under Mike Baynes and the incredible opportunities she was offered.

"Sisters High School's art program was and is very extensive and expression-oriented," said Benhower. "Students know that they will have the opportunity to make some awesome art when they take the class. Mr. Baynes has always been a great teacher and mentor since I've known him, and he gave me the opportunity to become a better artist and teacher through his tutoring. He has great rapport with his students and makes the most of every minute in class. I was able to try a lot of different types of art through his art programs and felt that I was well prepared for college-level work and for teaching art when the time came."

Bethany is very excited about what lies ahead.

"I'm very excited about teaching at the high school, in a room and program with so much diversity and richness, and within a community that supports art so well," said Benhower. "It's a little weird coming back to the high school where I graduated, but I know it will be a positive experience and I know how rich the staff is at SHS. It will be nice not to have to start from scratch."

Benhower plans to keep all the current art programs going, including Coffee House and the sign business.

"Mr. Baynes has offered to walk me through the technical stuff of keeping everything going, especially the sign business," said Benohower. "I think it might be difficult to balance it all, but it's definitely doable. I love the Coffee House and don't want to see that go. I'm willing to ask Baynes for help, and he said he's willing to give it. I know he won't leave me out to dry."

Bethany will step into her duties in the fall, but not as Bethany Benhower. Bethany will be moving back to Central Oregon the end of June. She is to be married in August to Luke Gunnerson. Gunnerson is also a teacher and would like to teach high school English in Central Oregon. The couple met in Idaho Falls at the beginning of this school year.