Susan Howar, one of Pomona's newest math teachers and recent California transplant, has already climbed several of Colorado's legendary Fourteeners: six of them to be exact.

She is currently teaching Pre-Algebra and Algebra/Geometry I. She taught biology last year in San Diego.

Howar moved from California at the beginning of July. When asked why such a big move, she explained that she wanted to live in Colorado because of the mountains.

She was one of two new Pomona teachers who were initially interviewed "long distance" via telephone. Afterward, she was asked to send a videotape of herself to Pomona's hiring committee.

Pomona's principal, Dee Kehl, explained, "It is hard to hire someone based on what they sound like on the phone, and the videotapes put a face with the voice."

Howar said the fact that she loved math and science classes as a student contributed to her decision to become a teacher. "I was always tutoring my friends in math," she explained.

Howar also mentioned that she liked biology when she was in school and that she taught biology last year in San Diego.

Howar graduated in 1995 from Twin Falls High School in Twins Falls, Idaho. She went on to attend the University of California in San Diego (UCSD), where she majored in molecular biology.

When asked how it feels to be "on the other side of the desk," Howar replied that when she's teaching she tries to remember what troubles she had as a student in order to help her understand students. Howar also mentioned that she remembers her own teachers and tries to use some of their more effective methods of teaching.

In addition to climbing Longs Peak, Mount Evans, Bear Steps, Pikes Peak, and the rest of the Fourteeners on the Front Range, Howar said she also spent part of the summer discovering Vail. "I found a great place to go swing dancing, " she stated. "I played a lot and then got ready for school," she added. In addition to enjoying Colorado's mountains, Howar said she also likes to read and do arts and crafts.