Bighorn news: High school students start classes early

Oasis Academy College Prep students started their first classes on Aug. 7 through the dual enrollment program with Western Nevada College.

Juniors and seniors will complete either communications, music appreciation, or art appreciation for three semester credits within a three-week period.

“It is so exciting to see the kids, especially the seniors,” said Rochelle Tisdale, chief academic officer. “What makes it a little more special is the 11th and 12th grade students are the only students on campus, so we get to focus solely on them for a couple of weeks. These classes allow our students to take a lighter load for the regular semester. We began this several years ago. It has helped increase our student success.”

"Western Nevada College is pleased to offer these early semester classes to meet the needs of students at Oasis Academy so they can get a head start on their higher education," said J. Kyle Dalpe, WNC president.

To learn more about the Jump Start dual enrollment program at Oasis Academy, contact academic adviser Eric Grimes at egrimes@oanv.org.

Ashley Duskin set to teach this fall

With five years of classroom experience, Ashley Duskin will start at Oasis this fall teaching fourth grade. Duskin came to Oasis from Fernley with experience in teaching second and fourth grades, and high school special education.

“My favorite part of teaching is the kids,” Duskin said. “Getting to see those little moments of joy and the increase in confidence when a student finally ‘gets’ it. You can see the excitement in their eyes when they have a breakthrough in understanding a concept they were struggling with.”

In her free time, she loves to be outdoors. Including camping, hiking, gardening, and working around the house with her family. She also enjoys cooking, baking, painting and doing art projects with her kids.

Duskin has a blended family with four children ranging in age from 10 to 20 years old. They are looking forward to adding livestock animals to their home, which currently has a maltipoo named Peanut, and a bearded dragon named Sunny.

“I am just really excited to have the opportunity to teach at Oasis and for my kids to get to attend Oasis. We’re all looking forward to an amazing school year,” she added.

Scott Hunter joins Oasis

Coming from the Lyon County School District, veteran teacher Scott Hunter is thrilled to be part of the Bighorn team.

“This will be my 20th year teaching in Nevada,” he said. “I have taught many different K-8 subjects at Silver Stage Middle School, Yerington Elementary/Middle School and at Fernley Intermediate School. I really think my favorite part about teaching is that you are always learning something new.”

Hunter has several funny memories that stick out from his years of teaching, but one in particular stands out to him.

“I have so many wonderful memories of all of the great students I have taught,” he said. “One of the funniest things I ever witnessed was when a new kindergarten student started swiping a computer monitor to scroll down through a menu. This happened in the early 2000s and was before our modern touch screen devices. Apparently, this student was more familiar with the use of an iPad vs. a PC.”

In his spare time, he enjoys biking, fly fishing, and riding his motorcycle. He has been married to his wife for almost 20 years and they have three sweet dogs.