Feature Photo By: Alexis Drummond – Carabello looks back to make sure all his students are on the bus after a day at Colorado State University. The advanced journalism class and yearbook took a field trip for Journalism day on September 27, 2018. “I just wanted to have a job where felt like I was making difference in the world and not just sitting behind a computer helping a corporation get richer,” said Carabello.

By: Alexis Drummond, Review Staff

For those who don’t already know, staff member of the month is a friendly competition between all the staff that works in Rangeview. The staff members are picked by other staff and students. At the end of the month, a tally is taken to see which staff member has the most votes for that specified month.

Staff member for the month of September goes to Mr. Zebulon Carabello.

Mr. Carabello is the journalism teacher here at Rangeview and is the advisor for The Raider Review. He has been selected by staff and students for going above and beyond for the month of September.

Having been a teacher for 13 years, one might say Carabello has found his calling. He taught English for 10 years and Journalism for 3 years. He views his job here at Rangeview as “fluid”; in his case is always changing with no set course.

Many know already that being a teacher has its ups and downs. Disadvantages commonly talked about by teachers are lack of time to grade; a limited time frame to get work done; also, an issue that has occured this year: larger class sizes. 

Carabello tries to find the light in everyday instead of showing his daily struggles.

“My job never gets boring,” said Carabello. “I can have an impact on kids lives and I can have more time off, which is nice.”

Carabello has worked here at Rangeview for all 13 years, but before becoming a teacher, Carabello was a journalist for 4 years. Carabello majored in journalism at Colorado State University; although he didn’t know what he was going to do, he found a passion for writing.

In school, Carabello thought about becoming a lawyer, but decided to pursue in journalism instead.

“I’m glad I didn’t become a lawyer,” said Carabello. “I did want to become a journalist, and I was. Then something

kinda switched in me and teaching just seemed like a logical next step and I’ve really liked it since then.”

Mr. Carabello hasn’t only been recognized here at Rangeview, but also by the Journalism Education Association. Carabello will be receiving the Rising Star Award, he is one in ten being recognized for his efforts as a journalism advisor.

“It is nice to be recognized and it shows that I’ve had an impact on the students I’ve taught,” said Carabello.

After teaching here (Rangeview) for his entire teaching career, Carabello still has an impact on students lives.

“I want to help kids find their own voice; help them make an impact on the world and help them get the skills necessary to do so,” said Carabello.

Already making that impact on the kids he has already taught, Carabello still pushes himself to become better, and have that same effect on even more students.

“I think Carabello’s hard work is evident in the great work his students develop,” said Mr. Jonathan Wells, honors English teacher. “From the Raider Review; to the Twitter page; to sports broadcasting; His students put out great work.That doesn’t happen without his help and guidance.”

Wells continued, “Carabello instructs his students to be true journalists and to explore topics they are passionate about, even if it is a controversial or polarizing topic. He allows students to push boundaries and I think that is where fun and enjoyment happens. Plus he has solid dad jokes.”

Although becoming a teacher wasn’t a first choice for Carabello, he shows a passion for teaching and for changing lives.

“It [journalism] allows you to be creative and have a open mind,” said Samantha Peotter, senior. “He [Carabello] doesn’t stick to a strict routine, where other teachers do and to the students it gets boring if you do the same thing everyday.”

Some students say that they wish they could put Carabello on the  staff member of the year ballot. Although he can’t be recognized professionally at Rangeview, he is recognized by the staff and students.

“Whether he is teaching English or journalism, he has always made a connection with his students,” Ms. Kastens, substitute teacher (former English teacher at Rangeview). “He relates to them with pop-culture and their interests. He gets students to work in class and buy into education while having fun at the same time.”

Being staff member of the month is achievable by any of the staff members who work within the brick walls of Rangeview.

“Every teacher could and should be staff member of the month,” said Carabello. “In my experience not every kid gets along with every teacher, but every teacher does make a difference in a certain amount of kids. Teachers sacrifice a lot to do what they do.”