Berkram Ready to Tackle High School English

After four years off from teaching, Ceanna Berkram is ready to take on the challenges of High School English at Whitehall Schools.

"I wasn't quite ready, I didn't think, to get back into teaching," Berkram explained, who has a three-month-old daughter Oakley)and three-year-old twins, Olive and Ozzie. "But then my husband [Kyle] saw the position open." Berkram's husband was very supportive and actually pushed her to apply. The reason? Small town school and the appeal of "home."

Born and raised in Montana, Ceanna grew up in Cutbank and has taught in Billings, as well as in Texas. Kyle recently took a job at NorthWestern Energy in Butte, where the family has settled.

"I'm ready to have an identity again," she said with a laugh, noting that Whitehall's appeal lies in the small class sizes, where everyone knows everyone. "I want to build a career here, I want to teach my student's kids someday. We really wanted a small town experience for our kids like we had growing up."

Berkram admits she is a Type A personality who loves organization, but also knows that no one is perfect, explaining there is almost nothing in her class that isn't redoable in some shape or form. She also is a self-described Professional Chaos Coordinator who, with three children under the age of five, is always on her game.

Berkram said she is excited to get involved in the community, the school, and extracurriculars, noting that sports made a huge impact on her life.

Students in her class can expect an emphasis on writing in all its forms: expository, argumentative, and public speaking - Berkram is ready to challenge them.

One of her goals is better ACT scores for high school students.

"We are facing big issues after COVID. The good thing is, every student is in the same boat," she said, adding that she plans to gauge where the school and the kids are at, then move forward from there.

Berkram explained that in some workplaces a simple manual is sometimes not fully understood - harkening to the need for reading and writing comprehension, that can be brought to the students in interesting formats, such as the classics.

"I'm a big fan of the classics: Lord of the Flies, Of Mice and Men. These are themes that are around in today's society that are relatable," Berkram said.

In regard to the upcoming school year, Berkram is ready to roll with anything thrown her way.

"I can handle it!"