Arnold plank saved my life! He was an awesome counselor and became my angel! My parents had sat all three of us kids down the night before, to tell us they were getting a divorce . I was 16! And devastated! I had no one to talk to and I had suicidal thoughts. Then I thought to go to a counseler where he talked me through it! Without his listening when I needed someone the most.... I would not be here today! I was able to thank him several years later! He gave me that passion to help other children. My husband and I are now legal guardians of a 16 yr. old who has been passed around in foster homes! God Bless Him!
Dr. Arnold Plank gave me my first real teaching opportunity...one I'm proud to say has lasted over 30 years. He believed in me...and I, too, believed in the students of West High. I am honoered to have worked for such a fine individual. Best wishes too all those who pass through the corridors of West High.
Mr. Plank greatly influenced my social consciousness in 1966 by giving us case studies from the Spanish American War where some of America's actions were questionable. More than any teacher I had, he taught me to be a critical thinker. Although I always loved history, Mr. Plank set me up to become a history major at UCI. The papers we did and the kinds of essay questions we encountered sharpened my college skills in a day when there was no AP. He made me a careful researcher and taught me the importance of documentation. In fact, when I left the page numbers off of the ton of note cards I did for my report that year, he made me go back to find them--which I actually did. I learned integrity in research and taught my students for 38 years in English classes where I found my niche in American literature the skills of research, writing, and viewing multiple perspectives that he developed in me. I did get to thank him personally, but I hope that others remember that he was an excellent teacher from the beginning.
I was having a lovely morning, sitting in class in the spring of 1985. Then I got the call to report to the Principal's office. Fear spread through me, and all the students watched as I slowly walked out of the classroom. As I tried to think of what I had done and what kind of punishment was coming my way, my mind was racing. When I entered the Principal's office, I was greeted with a smile and a hearty handshake. Mr. Plank then congratulated me for receiving an athletic scholarship to San Diego State University. He expressed how proud he was and wished me all the best in the next stage of my education. Mr. Plank was a gentleman that I respected and look back upon with fond memories.
Vickie Wright (Bruno) (1970)
Arnold plank saved my life! He was an awesome counselor and became my angel! My parents had sat all three of us kids down the night before, to tell us they were getting a divorce . I was 16! And devastated! I had no one to talk to and I had suicidal thoughts. Then I thought to go to a counseler where he talked me through it! Without his listening when I needed someone the most.... I would not be here today! I was able to thank him several years later! He gave me that passion to help other children. My husband and I are now legal guardians of a 16 yr. old who has been passed around in foster homes! God Bless Him!
Vickie (Wright )Bruno
Leslie Baker (Espinoza) (1983)
My grandmother was his school secretary when he was a Principal in Inglewood. She always had positive things to say and enjoyed working with him.
Cynthia Pelka
Dr. Arnold Plank gave me my first real teaching opportunity...one I'm proud to say has lasted over 30 years. He believed in me...and I, too, believed in the students of West High. I am honoered to have worked for such a fine individual. Best wishes too all those who pass through the corridors of West High.
Cynthia Pelka 1981-1987 math teacher
Susan Hennrick (Starbuck) (1967)
Mr. Plank greatly influenced my social consciousness in 1966 by giving us case studies from the Spanish American War where some of America's actions were questionable. More than any teacher I had, he taught me to be a critical thinker. Although I always loved history, Mr. Plank set me up to become a history major at UCI. The papers we did and the kinds of essay questions we encountered sharpened my college skills in a day when there was no AP. He made me a careful researcher and taught me the importance of documentation. In fact, when I left the page numbers off of the ton of note cards I did for my report that year, he made me go back to find them--which I actually did. I learned integrity in research and taught my students for 38 years in English classes where I found my niche in American literature the skills of research, writing, and viewing multiple perspectives that he developed in me. I did get to thank him personally, but I hope that others remember that he was an excellent teacher from the beginning.
John Wesselman (1985)
I was having a lovely morning, sitting in class in the spring of 1985. Then I got the call to report to the Principal's office. Fear spread through me, and all the students watched as I slowly walked out of the classroom. As I tried to think of what I had done and what kind of punishment was coming my way, my mind was racing. When I entered the Principal's office, I was greeted with a smile and a hearty handshake. Mr. Plank then congratulated me for receiving an athletic scholarship to San Diego State University. He expressed how proud he was and wished me all the best in the next stage of my education. Mr. Plank was a gentleman that I respected and look back upon with fond memories.