ASPEN —  This school year, Aspen High School has gained a multitude of new teachers, one of them being history teacher Lena Ranallo.

Ranallo describes herself as an ambitious new attribute to our school. She was born in Northern Wisconsin, and went to a small town school from Kindergarten to 12th grade. After graduating, she went to the University of Minnesota in Twin Cities, Minnesota. Although she started as a business major, she soon realized that the competitive nature of the perpetually suit wearing business students was not for her, and decided to change her major. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in African History, and a Master’s in Social Studies Education fit her much better than a suit.

Ranallo has traveled to Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Bali, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea and has many stories from her adventures 

“I trekked into the Northern mountains of the Philippines to find a 97-year-old woman. I got a traditional tattoo with two bamboo hammers and a lemon thorn,” she said. This tattoo on her lower forearm symbolizes a once-in-a-lifetime journey that she will carry with her forever.

The most exciting place she has ever been is Siem Reap, Cambodia. Being a major history fanatic, she claims seeing the historical architectural structure of the buildings was like being a kid in a candy store. However, she does say she would not want to live there because of their violent past. 

From her many experiences, she gained more than just an understanding of new cultures. “It was a little scary but I felt very empowered and awesome going as a woman by myself.”

The cultural experiences Ranallo has been through have increased her teaching knowledge and skills. She looks forward to sharing her expanded knowledge of the world and the first hand experiences she has had with different races, cultures, and politics. Her unique offerings are a great addition to our social studies department and will have a positive impact on her students knowledge and skills. Renal is thankful to teach in a school that as apposed to her previous school in the Philippines, does not forces students to memorize everything and take weekly tests. Getting to see what really lies on the other side of the world has taught her far more than the contents of a textbook, and we are excited to have her at the high school.