"Tall" is the one word used by Miss Katherine Gore to describe herself. As a home economics teacher, Miss Gore teachers Foods I and home plan and interior design, a course offered to juniors and seniors.

Coming from the University of Illinois, this is her first teaching job. Miss Gore feels that teaching is the most rewarding profession. "The rewards come from realizing that through your help a student's knowledge and understanding has developed." Miss Gore, "is to promote in the Home Economics Club. "The purpose of this club," stated Miss Gore, "it to promote interest in home economics and to give girls an opportunity to share their opinions and beliefs. And," she added, "I encourage all girls to participate in this club."

In her spare time, Miss Gore enjoys reading mystery stories, participating in water sports, especially water skiing, and recently started going snow skiing. "I also spend much of my time in the kitchen," said Miss Gore, "trying new and different recipes."

Miss Gore dislikes the sullen and bored students at Maine, whom she feels should change their attitudes. She advises students to do the best job possible in high school, or they will regret it later. However, Miss Gore stated, "I enjoy working with the many students who are eager to learn and willing to work hard."


"There's probably little school spirit because of all the activities that confront the students. There are many more things to do nowadays. We live so close to the Chicago loop that when the games are held at night many students go to the loop. If this were just a small town, the school activities would probably be the center of entertainment, and nearly all the students would attend," explained Mr. Robert Retel.

Mr. Retel, one of the new teachers at Maine West this year, teaches sophomore boys' gym and health. He is also busy acting as frosh‑soph swim coach and the freshman basketball coach.

The 5' 7", brown‑haired, hazel-eyed teacher's dislike about Maine is "the defensive attitude some of the students have. They seem to have a chip on their shoulder. When a teacher is just trying to ask a student a question, the pupil seems to immediately strike back." This attitude students seem to have is also his pet peeve.

When not teaching at Oak Park as a driving teacher during the summer, Mr. Retel tries to do some traveling.

Mr. Retel's advise to the students is that they should be more serious. "In college the students won't be pampered."


Mr. Robert Norris, a member of the English Department, is experiencing his first year of teaching. He teaches English IVM, speech, and creative dramatics. His responsibilities also include sponsoring speech activities, co-sponsoring Thespian Society, and acting as stage director.

The only thing that he doesn't like about the students is their failure to accept responsibility adequately. "I really get upset with students who say they will do something and then a few minutes before they are supposed to do it tell me that they can't."

"I can say that I've had one very rewarding experience with a student this year. One of my students didn't understand, for a while, what I had been explaining. The day when I finally got through and made him understand and heard him say, with an inspired look on his face, 'Oh, yeah!' was the day I felt the most rewarded as a teacher."

Mr. Norris claims his most embarrassing incident occurred while he was attending Northern Illinois University. "I was rehearsing for a Greek play called Menander, which means The People Hater. During one of the rehearsals I bent over and ripped my pants. What's really embarrassing is that this isn't the only time I've done it."