Post by gatordog on Jan 26, 2007 17:58:26 GMT -6
From Beacon News columnist James Cannon
Why I'm thankful for my high school education
It was the teachers who opened my eyes to a new world
January 26, 2007
I graduated from high school in 1980, but my education from Waubonsie Valley High School seems to be ongoing.
For about 14 years, my wife and our daughters have lived in the Oswego School District. We've seen the district grow from six schools to 17. Every time a new school opens, an amazing amount of work is involved. The building has to be built and staff need to be recruited, which are significant challenges in and of themselves.
In a district like Oswego, those challenges are made a little easier by the fact that administrators have been a part of new building projects in Oswego, and many of the teachers for the new school have been a part of schools in the district. Even though every new school has its own character, teachers and administrators who have been in the district have an understanding of the culture of the district.
Waubonsie Valley has been on my mind lately. In the last few weeks, I've seen one of my teachers, Mr. Lay. I've waited on a number of basketball coaches and other teachers recently after home basketball games. Last week, I saw Mr. Fischer, an assistant principal at Waubonsie Valley when the school opened up in 1975.
Fischer asked if I'd kept up with many people from high school, which I really haven't. I asked him if he'd been in touch with people from the school. He has, which is a delightful thing. He now lives in Yorkville and is enjoying life.
That last encounter really got me thinking. Waubonsie Valley wasn't another school in an established district. It was the first high school in a district that was only 3 years old, formed by uniting existing elementary and junior high districts. There was no template for this new school, no teachers from another high school who understood the culture of the district.
This was a brand-new high school in a very young district. The pioneers who started Waubonsie Valley were an amazing group that did it with an incredible amount of skill and class. I experienced it first-hand. I was able to be a part of a small high school (about 104 in my graduating class in 1980) with very talented, caring teachers and incredible opportunities. Mr. Gibbs (the principal), Fischer and others provided leadership that gave no clue that this was a new venture.
I personally was inspired by teachers like Mr. Sabin, the band director, who helped give me a great appreciation for music. Mr. Bowman taught English and directed plays and musicals, giving me my first chance in a play. Mrs. Buchenot, who taught speech, directed plays and coached speech.
They helped to open up the world of performing to me in ways that has enriched my life.
There were a lot more inspirational teachers at Waubonsie, including Mr. Stephens who taught history, Mr. Engelhardt who taught P.E. and coached basketball and baseball. Mr. Mattingly was a guidance counselor and basketball coach. Mr. Schmid, who is now the principal, was a rookie English teacher when I was a freshman. Mr. Keller, who is now an assistant principal, was a student teacher when I was a senior. They are just a few of the incredible people who started this little school that has gone on to be a terrific school in a number of ways.
I knew back then that I was at a great high school. I didn't really understand how impressive it was, especially considering that this was a brand new venture with an incredible level of difficulty. Now I do.
My high school education continues.
Why I'm thankful for my high school education
It was the teachers who opened my eyes to a new world
January 26, 2007
I graduated from high school in 1980, but my education from Waubonsie Valley High School seems to be ongoing.
For about 14 years, my wife and our daughters have lived in the Oswego School District. We've seen the district grow from six schools to 17. Every time a new school opens, an amazing amount of work is involved. The building has to be built and staff need to be recruited, which are significant challenges in and of themselves.
In a district like Oswego, those challenges are made a little easier by the fact that administrators have been a part of new building projects in Oswego, and many of the teachers for the new school have been a part of schools in the district. Even though every new school has its own character, teachers and administrators who have been in the district have an understanding of the culture of the district.
Waubonsie Valley has been on my mind lately. In the last few weeks, I've seen one of my teachers, Mr. Lay. I've waited on a number of basketball coaches and other teachers recently after home basketball games. Last week, I saw Mr. Fischer, an assistant principal at Waubonsie Valley when the school opened up in 1975.
Fischer asked if I'd kept up with many people from high school, which I really haven't. I asked him if he'd been in touch with people from the school. He has, which is a delightful thing. He now lives in Yorkville and is enjoying life.
That last encounter really got me thinking. Waubonsie Valley wasn't another school in an established district. It was the first high school in a district that was only 3 years old, formed by uniting existing elementary and junior high districts. There was no template for this new school, no teachers from another high school who understood the culture of the district.
This was a brand-new high school in a very young district. The pioneers who started Waubonsie Valley were an amazing group that did it with an incredible amount of skill and class. I experienced it first-hand. I was able to be a part of a small high school (about 104 in my graduating class in 1980) with very talented, caring teachers and incredible opportunities. Mr. Gibbs (the principal), Fischer and others provided leadership that gave no clue that this was a new venture.
I personally was inspired by teachers like Mr. Sabin, the band director, who helped give me a great appreciation for music. Mr. Bowman taught English and directed plays and musicals, giving me my first chance in a play. Mrs. Buchenot, who taught speech, directed plays and coached speech.
They helped to open up the world of performing to me in ways that has enriched my life.
There were a lot more inspirational teachers at Waubonsie, including Mr. Stephens who taught history, Mr. Engelhardt who taught P.E. and coached basketball and baseball. Mr. Mattingly was a guidance counselor and basketball coach. Mr. Schmid, who is now the principal, was a rookie English teacher when I was a freshman. Mr. Keller, who is now an assistant principal, was a student teacher when I was a senior. They are just a few of the incredible people who started this little school that has gone on to be a terrific school in a number of ways.
I knew back then that I was at a great high school. I didn't really understand how impressive it was, especially considering that this was a brand new venture with an incredible level of difficulty. Now I do.
My high school education continues.
