Journalism teacher leaves SMHS to pursue PhD, teach class at ASU
As seen in the paper edition of the Mustang Express
Newspaper and Yearbook adviser Kristy Roschke won’t be returning to Sunrise next year as she is pursuing her PhD and teaching at ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She has inspired us all in ways unthinkable and we would just like to thank her.
Bryce Dudzinski: “Mrs. Roschke is a caring, loving teacher who fully understands and exercises the qualities of an amazing leader. She teaches more than journalism; she teaches life.”
Adrienne Sebade: “Mrs. Roschke has been the biggest inspiration for me, both as a person and as a journalist. She has taught me everything I know.”
Megan McGovern: “She’s the most amazing teacher I’ve ever had, and I wish her luck on everything she sets out to do in life.”
Emily Bridgewater: “Mrs. Roschke has been one of the most inspiring people. She is truly one of the greatest teachers at Sunrise.”
Michaela Emrich: “I would just like to say that Mrs. Roschke is such a great and influential person. She’s just amazing and I love her. She’s one of my favorite teachers here. It’s going to be really sad when she’s gone, but I think it’s great that she’s going back to school to pursue her dreams.” “Mrs. Roschke is such an inspiring person and I feel honored to have spent a whole semester with her. She is a wonderful person as well as an amazing teacher. Although I will miss her, I think it’s really awesome that she’s going back to school to pursue something that she has been wanting to do.”
Caleb Huthison: “Roschke is an effective, inspirational teacher. Throughout the years, she has encouraged each of her students to develop a strong character and a persistent work ethic.” “I’m going to miss her next year, but she has definitely earned the right to expand her educational horizon as a college journalism professor.” “It’s really too bad that Mrs. Roschke chose to leave Sunrise during the same year that Jerry Nunez finally resigned. Oh well, I guess every positive has a negative…”
Nikita Satapathy: “Mrs. Roschke brings energy and spontaneity to the yearbook and the newspaper. She’s always ready to teach us something new or enlighten us with stories from her life. She has definitely had an impact on my life and I will definitely miss her as a teacher.”
Gilliene Yap: “Mrs. Roschke, you are so amazing! You always put a smile on my face. Thank you for everything you have taught me. I feel like you are a great part of me growing up as an individual and you make me want to be a better person and student. I love you and I will definitely miss seeing you every day!”
Anissa Saenz-Ochoa: “Mrs. Roschke has had an incredible impact on my life. She is an amazing role model and I look up to her immensely. Plus, we share a love for Friday Night Lights and Van Halen. You can’t get any better than that 
. I know Sunrise Mountain is going to miss Mrs. Roschke. But I’m really excited for her and wish her the best in her pursuit for a PhD.”
Chelsie Atkinson: “Mrs. Roschke is the best teacher I have had. She is funny and never makes the day boring. She is an amazing person to be around and she will be missed greatly”
Josh Yodice: “When I came to Sunrise this year as a freshman, my passion was the culinary arts. Now with the help of Mrs. Roschke, I know becoming a journalist is my dream.”
Amy Radosevich: “You have been the best teacher for me by far. Your constant words of wisdom and advice will guide me throughout life, I’m sure. Your jokes and teasing will plaster my mind for years to come. I will never forget what you have taught me this year. The inside jokes will never die, the traditions will never falter, the family will never break apart. You are the person who got me interesting in journalism and convinced me to do something with it. Thank you, Mrs. Roschke. You have truly changed my life. We love you, Mama Roschke. Oh and TEAM TIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Kellie Reynolds: “Mrs. Roschke has always encouraged me to try my best and be all that I can be. Without her, I would still be the shy freshman that could barely talk. Instead, I am unafraid to seek the truth and be myself. Journalism has become a large part of who I am, and I can’t imagine my life without it. Mrs. Roschke is someone I truly look up to, and I wish her the best at ASU.”
Alexis Hansen: “Mrs. Roschke has been an inspiration to me and she is the reason I keep coming back to take yearbook. She is a great teacher and she is dedicated to her students and to putting out a good yearbook and newspaper. She always works hard and has high expectations of her students, which gives us a reason to work as hard as we do. She has a strong personality and has inspired me to be who I am today.”
Kaylie Robinson: “Mrs. Roschke has made a huge impact on my life. I have learned so much from her, not only about journalism, but about life in general. My future plans would have been drastically different if it weren’t for her. She always made class fun and she encouraged me to be the best version of myself. Thanks, Mrs. Roschke for making these past 3 years spectacular!”
Alex Stephens: “Even though I only got one semester in Mrs. Rochke’s class, I still feel like she is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I don’t like seeing her leave, but I admire her in that she can make a decision like going back to school, which I’m guessing would be a pretty hard one. And just one more thing: at first impression, Mrs. Rochke comes off as….ya know. Then again, first impressions SO do not apply to her.”
Haylie Konakis: “Mrs. Roschke’s my role model and I’m going to try my best to continue doing the things she’s taught me to do after she leaves. Mrs. Roschke gave me a different perspective on everything and I’ll definitely miss her.”
Sarah Gilmour: “Even though I haven’t really known her that long, she’s been a role model, not just as a journalist, but as a person.”
Natasha Hossain: “Over the last four years, Mrs. Roshcke has not only been a teacher to me, but also a role model and a friend. She has inspired me to do my best and never settle for less than I deserve. I cannot thank her enough for the impact she has had on me.”
Brooke Schattner: “Mrs. Roschke teaches her students so much more than just academics. She teaches her students things that can be used outside of classroom setting, and applied to the real world. She is truly inspiring, and makes you want to go out and do big things.”
Braden Taylor: “I think every student gets a teacher sometime in their education that makes an immediate impact on their lives. Mrs Roschke was that teacher for me. She has only been my teacher for the past two semesters, but she has had more influence on me than any other teacher has had in my life.”
Alex Curtis: “From junior year English to senior year Newspaper, Mrs. Roschke has made a huge impact on me as a student and individual. She has taught me to try new things and explore every aspect of the world. Not only is she a teacher to the rest of her students and I, but a role model. She gives each and every one of her students someone to look up to.”
Macie Hulsey: “I would like to say that in all my four years I have never met such an extraordinary person, both as an instructor of high school students and an individual. She is so sincere and giving, I have had such a wonderful time in her class this year. Originally I was only supposed to be in the class for a semester, but after meeting such wonderful people and having a wonderful teacher to mold our yearbook family I decided to stay and I am so happy that I did. Although I am happy for her and I know she will go far in life I am sad she is leaving.” “I have told my little sister so much about this wonderful experience and I wish that she had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Roschke and be in her class and have a wonderful year like I have had.” “SMHS was lucky to say the least to have such a dedicated and loving person as part of their staff.” “Mrs. Roschke I hope that one day our paths will cross again and we can share the memories that you have created.”
Amanda Schott: “I love Mrs. Roschke and even though I’ve only had her for a semester, I’ve learned a ton from her, whether it’s about yearbook or Seattle or everyday life. She has alot of advice that’s worth listening to. She’s the kind of teacher you remember when you’re older and wish they hadn’t gone away! It’s sad to see her go but I hope she has amazing adventures and meets people cooler than me that don’t cartwheel on the sidewalk like a touristy teenager.”
Sydney Adamonis: “I can say that I honestly have never had a teacher like Mrs. Roschke, I love her snappy replies and hilarious comments. Her lectures are fun to listen to because you always know she will make it fun and then after the teaching is done, you realize you actually learned something!“
Rylee Layton: “Mrs. Roschke is one of my favorite teachers. She taught me to always have self-confidence. I will miss her next year!”
A million thanks to all my students — present and past — who wrote such wonderful words. In the daily life of a teacher it’s often tough to know if you’re making a difference or doing the right things. You taking the time to share your experiences tells me that, just maybe, I did make a bit of a difference. One thing I know for sure is that you all have impacted me in ways I never could have imagined. My life is forever changed because of this experience, and I will always look back on it fondly. I love you guys.
I don’t even know where to being to describe the impact Roschke has had on my life. I guess I can start by saying that I owe her my career. I wouldn’t be sitting here as an Assistant Editor for a magazine if I had not decided to take her journalism class in high school. Eventually I turned my whole schedule around in order to be apart of her Yearbook course because of the passion she shared for teaching and journalism. Fast-forward a few years and there I was at my graduation ceremony at the Walter Cronkite School, sitting behind Roschke who was getting her masters.
To be able to share that moment with her is a memory that I will forever cherish. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to rely on her for advice and wisdom to this very day and never once has she let me down. She is a true inspiration and an amazing mentor who has touched me professionally and personally. I wish you all the luck Roschke in your future endeavors!
<3
Cristina Boccio: I can’t begin to describe the impact you have had on me. It has been about 9 years since I sat in your first journalism class. You really inspired me and motivated me to continue my passion of journalism. You pushed me to become better academically and you always strive to teach some type of life lesson. To this day I keep Roschke’s words in my head and I continue with my career and in hopes to continue journalism at some point. Thanks for all you have done for us! Thanks for taking us to Chicago too!!!
I can honestly say, Roschke, you have been the best teacher I have ever had because your teachings didn’t end in 2008 when I graduated, but continue to this day. Your lessons have helped in so many aspects of my life, not just school, and I can’t thank you enough. You have touched so many students in your years of teaching and we are all so lucky to have had you as a mentor and friend. Good luck in your future endeavors!
Roschke, you will be a teacher I talk about for the rest of my life. You are such an inspiration, promoting good grammar and a healthy lifestyle. Your passion for journalism shines bright with everything you do and is truly contagious. Although I did not pursue journalism, having you as a teacher will be part of my best memories of high school. Thank you for all the laughs (and tears) you have caused me over the years; I would not be the person I am today if it wasn’t for your influence. Sunrise Mountain will miss you as much as all of your former students do. Now go conquer your PhD.
Mama Roschke has had such an impact on my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to have many great teachers but Roschke is by far that best I’ve ever had. She better prepared me for college and the world of journalism better than anyone I know. What’s even more amazing, though, is that she still continues to provide guidance and care as I make my way through college. She’s not just a high school teacher or a college professor. She’s a teacher of life as corny as that might sound. But it’s completely and utterly true. I know that she has touched the lives of so many of her students and we couldn’t be more grateful. Love you, Roschke.
Samantha Hauser: I can’t thank you enough for always challenging me academically, personally and professionally. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for you. As I’ve said a thousand times, you’ve been a far more inspirational teacher than you’ll ever realize. Best of luck!