By LAURA HAMMACK, guest columnist
During the last week of school, I interviewed 20 students from the Class of 2019. My intent was to learn what went well during their time in Brown County Schools and what they wished would have been different.
I went in to the interviews simply looking for feedback. I had no idea that the time spent with these seniors would be one of my most treasured experiences from school year 2018-19.
I didn’t ask permission from these students to use their names in this piece, so I will keep their responses anonymous. However, I would like our readers to know that the individuals I spoke to represent the beautiful diversity that made up this senior class.
I interviewed students who earned summa cum laude distinction and I interviewed students who admitted that academics weren’t a priority. I interviewed students who were engaged in seemingly every extra-curricular activity we offer and those who aren’t engaged in one. I wanted to hear how we are doing in preparing all students for their next step.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]The first question I asked was, “What are you going to miss?” One student said, “I will definitely miss how close I was able to get with my teachers. I will really miss seeing them every day.” This was a recurring theme.
I was so touched that the students didn’t identify missing their friends as much as they indicated that they would miss the teachers who developed relationships with them during their time in school. The power of a teacher cannot be underestimated in the eyes of the graduates from the Class of 2019.
The next question I asked was, “What are you not going to miss?” I had to laugh because several of the students indicated that they were looking forward to sleeping in. I’m guessing there will be a time in their near future when their wake up call for Brown County High School was actually sleeping in!
However, I was most touched by the majority of students who indicated that they really couldn’t think of anything that they would not miss. That sure says a lot without saying anything at all.
The next question I asked was, “Is there a special teacher/coach/staff member that made an impact on you? Why?” I loved hearing the names of the individuals who made a difference in their educational journey. I wasn’t surprised by any of the names that were shared.
I also wasn’t surprised that when I asked why they made their selection, each of them mentioned that it was because that individual cared. I didn’t hear anything about teaching methodology or content specialization. In the end, what mattered most to our seniors are educators who make each student feel special and cared for.
I asked the students what their plans were after graduation and if they felt prepared for this next step. The answers ranged from post-secondary educational options including vocational/technical school and four-year institutions of higher learning as well as immediate entry into the workforce.
Every single student indicated that they felt that their time in Brown County Schools prepared them for their next step. Some were more anxious about that transition than others, but not because they didn’t have what they needed. They were anxious because everything that they have ever known about what happens during a school day is about to change.
I asked the students if they had any words of advice for the incoming ninth-grade class on how to have a successful high school career. One very insightful senior said, “Hmmm. Actually try. My freshman year, I really didn’t try much. I kind of joked around, messed around. Really try because your freshman year is really important.”
He went on to mention that it wasn’t until his junior year that he realized how the first two years of high school make a difference. We need to do better with making sure our students realize this before their freshman year.
The last question I asked the seniors was if they were proud to have graduated from Brown County High School. Each student paused, sat up a little bit straighter, smiled, and said, “I am SO proud to have graduated from Brown County High School.” One of them even responded, “Brown County High School has kept me alive.” It was tough to fight back the tears that were welling up in my eyes when each student answered this question.
As you can imagine, the time spent with these seniors was invaluable to me as a superintendent. This practice is one that I will deploy on an annual basis as their insights were affirming, inspiring, challenging and touching.
I am so grateful for the time spent with all 20 of these extraordinary graduates, and while I miss them already, I’m already looking forward to the great things that will happen from the Class of 2020.
Laura Hammack is superintendent of Brown County schools. She can be reached at 812-988-6601 or [email protected].
