Making the largest classroom transition this year, Samuel Cook moved from his 3rd floor classroom to the C.T.E. building. He is teaching a plethora of subjects, 3D Modeling and Animation, Financial Math, and Intro to Business. Previously, he taught Algebra and Geometry the past four years before moving down to the C.T.E. building this school year.
“There was an opening in the C.T.E. with the potential of bringing back the robotics program, and that really excites me,” Cook said. “So in addition to teaching 3D Modeling and Financial Math, I have a Skills USA club, kind of emphasizing robotics in there to bring those classes back, hopefully beginning next year.”
Before coming to CKHS, Cook was a math teacher in Vietnam for 22 years, teaching AP calculus, as well as robotics. However, he mostly did administrative work for about 14 years.
“Before coming here, I was able to teach robotics, AP calculus and a sort of…learning lab, basically is what we call the class,” Cook said. “So that kids could really explore different areas of electronics and 3D printing and engineering.”
Last year, Cook taught Financial Math for the first time, but once the previous 3D modeling teacher, John Lindberg left, Cook jumped on the opportunity to teach the class. Which also meant he had to learn the 3DS Max program.
“Yeah, it’s been pretty busy learning the new curriculum for 3D modeling,” Cook said. “Sort of learning how to teach that class, managing Financial Math, and then bringing in the Skills USA club, like there’s just a lot to learn. Plus, I’m taking my certification for C.T.E. classes through Olympic College. [I’m] just about done with my fourth class in that.”
Some students have gone into the 3D Modeling class with the hope it will become a long-term profession. For most, this year is their first experience with computer animation, with Cook as their teacher.
“I think he’s a really chill dude…super helpful as well,” CKHS junior Grady Schultz said. “He’s still kind of learning the modeling software himself, but he…works really hard to actually help people out and get things figured out. So I think he’s a pretty good guy.”
Others have returned to the class after taking it a previous school year, with the 3DS Max software being as complicated as it is, it often takes more than one year to really get the hang of and get comfortable with it.
“I took [3D Modeling and Animation] freshman year and enjoyed it, and I wanted to get better at it,” CKHS junior Ian Thompson said. “I think [Cook] paces his class pretty well, but also gives a good amount of leniency, which is good, since 3D Modeling can be kind of hard to pick up at first.”
Mr. Cook is dedicated to sharing his engineering passions with students and helping them find and learn more about their own interests. He plans on teaching these subjects for years to come.
“I never really understood that until maybe 10 years ago, but that was kind of my passion,” Cook said. “Now to get to actually teach some of those classes, I think it’s just great…to actually be doing that, and probably closest to what I’m most passionate about.”
