Most students have that one teacher who was special to them during their high school career. High school can be an intimidating place for freshmen after coming straight from middle school. The transition can be full of challenges – from navigating the school to increased academic pressures – but having a supportive teacher can make all the difference. For freshman Ashlynn Bellamy, English teacher Ms. Kathleen Lemke is that teacher.

     “Ms. Lemke was the teacher who changed my freshman year,” said Bellamy. Bellamy describes Lemke as an “amazing, good teacher that is caring and helpful. Her passion for teaching and her ability to connect with students in the way that helps them makes her a standout educator.” Bellamy “appreciated her dedication and the supportive environment she creates in her classroom,” whether it’s through engaging in lessons or just “making stuff fun.” 

     Bellamy says to the incoming freshman that “you should definitely get involved in clubs and try your best in all classes and be kind to others.”

     Along with Bellamy, another freshman, Cohen Armstrong, had some commentary on a teacher that changed his freshman year.

     “Ms. Harrell and Ms. Lawson have changed my freshman year,” Armstrong explained. “Their support and teaching strategies have made me learn better and more.” Harrell is an “ incredible math teacher” that teaches freshmen and seniors, always impacting her students with her kindness and also pushing them to do their best. “They made me learn by pushing me but they were also understanding if I didn’t get it.” Lawson is the co-teacher in Armstrongs everyday math class. These are the teachers “I have everyday that makes a difference in my learning by getting through so much in one day.” Harrell gave a first impression as “very kind and nice” but as the year went on “she pushed me more everyday to do my best while continuing to be that first impression” said Armstrong.

     Before going into high school most people would say it is a scary new experience,  Armstrong also agreed with that saying that “it was very scary at first.” Many people think throughout the year it gets easier and everything starts to become the new routine. Armstrong also agreed with this sentence saying that “it gets easier throughout the year and you get used to the new flow.”