Having previously taught six years, the idea of dealing with teens all day at a new school was familiar to Robert Archbald, a new history teacher at OHS.
Coming from a family of teachers, he says that he is “not a big thing.” He taught eighth grade social studies at Diamond Canyon Elementary before taking a position at OHS.
The primary reason for his transfer to OHS was based on the history department. He says that it is “excellent, which I value, and there are a lot of wonderful people, which is great. It’s just a very inviting community; there seems to be a lot of positive, so I like that.”
Archbald said he found OHS was also more convenient and socially appealing. “I have a lot of friends here,” referring to Debbie Peters, Tiffany Ellis, and Suzanne Wooten, fellow history teachers at the school. “Mrs. Ellis and I shared a room for four years; she worked at Diamond Canyon so she was across the way from me.”
When asked why he decided to teach history, he responds saying “I know a lot of history, I enjoy history.” He also adds, “I like teaching kids.”
He elaborates on his attachment to the subject, “It allows you to kind of know where you are and understand what humans have done previously, and understand where it makes us who we are. I think that’s pretty cool.”
He says, “Hopefully kids have learned new ideas and challenged themselves,” Archbald encourages thought and tries to provide an active environment for his students in AP world history and 11th grade US history. “I’m getting up, and I’m being productive, and I enjoy what I’m doing. That’s the most important thing.”
