Donna Trask: Indian School Teacher to College Instructor

Photo Credit: Instructor Website

With a basket of candies and chocolates by her side, Writing 121 and Writing 122 teacher, Donna Trask offers her students words of wisdom on a recent paper they wrote. Sitting each student down for a one on one conversation. Each word of advice is said with a upbeat attitude and smile from her that leaves your wanting to improve your paper.

Donna Trask, high school English teacher, a mom, and now a college writing instructor.

Trask has been teaching at LBCC since 2008. Teaching Writing 121, Writing 122, and occasionally Writing 115.

She began her teaching career began in 1972 where she taught at Roseburg High. Mrs. Trask, or as she tells her students to call her; Mrs. T, also taught at Chemawa Indian School in Salem for seven years where she was the senior English teacher.

“I found, that Native American students were a lot brighter than people gave them credit for. They told me for example that I shouldn't try to teach Shakespeare to them, they wouldn't understand Hamlet and Macbeth. [I found] they understood Hamlet just fine, they had a challenge with Macbeth, because they didn't understand his disloyalty,” said Trask.

“It was the first time in my life I'd been a minority, [and] it was a real growing experience,” said Trask.

Trask grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, where she attended Oregon State University and earned her B.A. in English, and her M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education, English and Psychology) from Western Oregon.

When asked about her favorite part of teaching, Trask said, “Watching the light go on in people's eyes when suddenly understand something. For me that is the other half of the paycheck.”

In her spare time Trask enjoys playing with her grandchildren; Brennan,who is three and Vivian Grace, who is four months old.

First-year student Chasmin Bradford said, “I really like [Mrs. T], I feel like she actually takes the time out to teach us, and that's her priority.”

Second-year student Traver Danielson said, “I [have] rather enjoyed [Mrs. T], she is entertaining. She is passionate about her students and about the subject she is teaching.”

“Regarding Teaching, I don't see myself ever stopping. Because, when you get paid to do what you love, you don't have a job, you have a joy; and I definitely have a joy here,” said Trask.

At a Glance:

Donna Trask
Job: Writing 121, and Writing 122 Instructor

Years at LBCC: Seven

Education: Oregon State University and Western Oregon University
Hobbies/Interests: Playing with her grandchildren

Hometown: Corvallis, Oregon