As wildcats become more accustomed to and settled into the school year, many students have already acquainted themselves with the teachers on campus. With the start of the 2025 school year, West Ranch has also introduced many new teachers. Among the new staff are new elective teachers.
Mr. Borkowski
Mr. Borkowski, a previous long-term substitute teacher for the Culinary Arts class, was hired as a full-time teacher this school year. Graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Hollywood, California, he teaches the class with training in culinary arts.
This is not Mr. Borkowski’s first time being on
campus, however. “I coach girls’ Lacrosse with Coach Leesa. This is my ninth season, [and] we have five straight Foothill League Championships,” he shared. “West Ranch campus is like home to me. I know most of the teachers.”
Mr. Borkowski shared that he wants to dive deeper into the scientific details involved in the art of cooking this year. He enjoys adding his own twist to the class.
Mr. Borkowski’s ultimate goal for the class is to help the students, academically and emotionally. “You know, the students here at West Ranch, they’re all going through something. They’re all in [a] time of life where everyone’s going through something, and to be able to help them and support them through those things and know that, you know, I’m going to [be the] safe room, safe place that they can come to,” he affirmed.
Ms. Cottrell
Another new member of West Ranch High School’s staff, Ms. Cottrell, specializes in American Sign Language. As a graduate of West Ranch’s class of 2018, she became interested in the language after taking the class herself. “[It helped me] come out of my shell a little bit, because it’s a really expressive language, so I learned to express myself better.” Ms. Cottrell mentioned.
After being inspired in high school, Ms. Cottrell went into deaf studies and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Northridge before earning her teaching credential in ASL and her master’s degree in teaching.
Ms. Cottrell taught at Grant High School in Van Nuys for two years before moving to West Ranch High School, making this her third year of teaching. “I love just spreading the culture and language [and] watching students go from having no knowledge at all, to being able to fully communicate in sign language. It’s just so amazing.” Ms. Cottrell expressed. Additionally, Ms. Cottrell enjoys the “gamification” of learning, where she has the opportunity to create innovative games to engage students throughout the learning process.
Ms. Wilken
Ms. Wilken, West Ranch’s new digital photography and Yearbook teacher, is in her first year of teaching. After studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she graduated with an AA degree in textile design and a BA degree, “with an emphasis on photo, textile design and interior design,”. Right after college, Ms. Wilken worked as a textile designer at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. During her time there, she was featured in numerous magazines for her rug work designs, including publications like the Interior Design Magazine.
Ms. Wilken pivoted careers after realizing textile design wasn’t for her: “Basically, I wasn’t really in love with the whole corporate side of things,” she shared. “I definitely wanted to be more creative, get to work with my own designs, and really also focus on my photography skills.” After deciding to go back to school, Ms. Wilken earned an Arts Media Entertainment Degree, allowing her to teach.
Ms. Wilken takes a unique approach to teaching photography. Instead of teaching a uniform, unilateral course where all students are set up for a photography career, Ms. Wilken tailors her course to her students, allowing photography to meet the students’ needs.“You can have a full career in photography, [or you could] have a full career beyond photography and then have photography in your back pocket to enhance the career that you chose.” Ms. Wilken explained. By the end of the year, Ms. Wilken plans on each student having their own website portfolio of the projects they completed throughout the year.
Outside of school, Ms. Wilken regularly enjoys crocheting, painting, knitting and spending time in nature. She has camped in Sequoia, Wrightwood and Idyllwild, where she got to pet the famous golden retriever Mayor Max.
All in all, Ms. Wilken is enjoying her first time on campus and looks forward to the year to come.
These new teachers are a great addition to the amazing staff on campus. Cats, make sure to give these new teachers a warm welcome to the Ranch!
