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Wednesday's Internet Edition, October 08, 2008.
Arcohe alumni return to serve
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Arcohe alumni from the Class of 1998, Jamie Stigelmayer and Sarah (Garrett) Lowery, have returned to the Arcohe campus as proud alumni employees.
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By Dana Edlund
Staff Writer
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It has been said that you can “never go home again.” Two Arcohe School alumni, however, are showing you can go back to school again.
Jamie Stigelmayer and Sarah (Garrett) Lowery both promoted from eighth grade at Arcohe in 1998 and are currently working for the school district. Stigelmayer is a secretary to Superintendent Mark Cornfield, and Lowery teaches second grade.
The two women both said one of their favorite memories from their Arcohe school days was the friendship between them. Along with two other girls, they were “inseparable friends.” Both girls played recreation basketball for the Arcohe team.
Stigelmayer and Lowery graduated from Galt High School in 2002. Stigelmayer continued her education at Cosumnes River College, studying child development. Lowery received her bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from California State University, Sacramento.
Stigelmayer said she chose to work at Arcohe because it’s a known place.
“I know everyone because I started here back in kindergarten,” said Stigelmayer. “I would definitely want my future children to attend Arcohe.”
Lowery said she had applied for a teaching position at several school districts, including Elk Grove, Galt, and Arcohe.
Working for Arcohe seemed the natural choice.
“It was just meant to be; they needed someone at the same time I was ready to work,” said Lowery. “I love that it is a small school. Everyone is helpful and friendly.”
From student to teacher, the pair said they are still learning.
“I love the kids; they teach you as much as you teach them,” said Stigelmayer.
As a teacher, Lowery said she enjoys getting to see the classroom from a different point of view.
“I enjoy how much they (the students) love learning. You can see the light bulbs go on, in their heads, when they understand and it makes you feel good,” said Lowery. “You can give them high expectations and think they may not be able to meet them, but they do and it is amazing.”
Both women said the school still holds family ties for them. Stigelmayer’s nephew is in Lowery’s class, and Lowery’s sixth grade sister is on the yearbook committee with her.
Second grader Jayden Baroni said, of having his aunt work at the school, “It’s cool. I don’t have to ride the bus.”
Lowery has been well received by her young charges.
“Mrs. Lowery is nice. We do fun activities. She’s a good teacher,” said student Paola Ochoa.
Arcohe principal, Lori Salfen, said having alumni come back has happened before.
“It is one of the advantages of a small local community, to have alumni come back,” said Salfen. “We have had several students return to Arcohe to work.”
Stigelmayer said she was getting married the first weekend in September to Jonathan Whitford, who she met while attending Galt High School. Future plans include using her child development education to assist her family in their new business, Kids Come First Preschool, while still working for Arcohe.
“I’ve never worked at a better place (than Arcohe),” said Stigelmayer.
Lowery also met her husband, Ryan Lowery, while both attended Galt High School. She plans to continue teaching at Arcohe for the foreseeable future.
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