Highland High School - Iris Yearbook (Highland, IL)

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Teaching—More Than Just a Profession “There is so many neat things about teaching,’’ was business teacher Miss Cheryl Swafford’s reply when she was asked what she liked most about teaching. Qualifications for a teaching posi- tion at HHS are much more than obtaining a degree in education. The degree must be accompanied by the ability to discipline stu- dents while establishing a close friendship with them and an understanding for them. Sacrific- ing hours of their free time, in- structors at Highland High School give up much of their time with families to concentrate on school activities, such as grading papers and coaching as well as advising classes and clubs. A survey was distributed to the faculty to gather information on teaching likes and dislikes. The replies revealed teachers’ opinions on various subjects. When asked about advising clubs and classes, Mr. Thomas Koch, Ag teacher, responded, “‘It’s super—I enjoy working with stu- dents in and out of the classroom atmosphere.”’ Another teacher commented, “Advising a class or club both result in additional demands on one’s time. | have enjoyed both activities when | have gotten the cooperation and support needed from the stu- dents. You do get to know stu- dents better than you ordinarily would if they were just in your class or not in class at all.” Miss Swafford stated, “It gives you a different perspective of the student outside of the classroom. On the other hand, it gives that student a different perspective of you.” HHS faculty also proclaimed what they liked most about teach- ing. “Sharing the good that we know and passing it on to others who want to know about our Mini Mag 6 subject and grow in it.” “Being around and working with young people. It keeps one young,” was the response of one teacher. Another commented, ‘Being able to see students achieve and being part of that achievement.” One liked “the hours and summer break.” One of the questions asked the teachers was what one thing they would like to change about their teaching professions. Many replied that the salary should be higher. Others responses included, “Student respect and quick mouths which respond before thinking,” “The last two weeks of school,” “Il would like to see a better working relationship between students and teachers. | would like to see more students take their role more seriously.” Because of the size of enrollment at HHS, relationships between students and teachers are easily established. Students find themselves going to teachers for help with personal problems as well as difficulties with school. Classroom size is small enough that many teachers can work on a one to one basis with most. The faculty was asked how strong they feel a student - teacher relationship should be. Many teachers agreed that relationships should be strong, but most important they should have mutual respect. Another respond- ed, “I think that students should respect their teachers and use them as a resource person—not an excuse for failure. | think teachers should see students as individuals and give them as much positive support as possible to encourage learning.’ Others feel they should be “strictly pro- fessional, though closeness is not unacceptable.” When one educator was asked about all the tasks that are in- volved in teaching, he summed it all up by stating that “It’s all part of the job!” Outside the classroom, Mr. Tom Koch, Agriculture teacher, holds the head of a young calf while a group of youngsters look on.

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Eud if thé Liné After twelve years of school, the class of 1984 could finally say they made it! Eleven years down and one to go. Finally you are a high school senior. Seniors are often advised to coast through their senior year and mark time until graduation. But for the Class of '84, the year meant more than marking time. Some students at HHS who had clearly met the requirements for graduation at last found time to take classes such as “I Can” or other ‘‘fun’’ and practical electives. For some who felt their high school curriculum was no longer challenging or offered nothing new, early graduation was the an- swer. Theresa Klein, who decided to take this route commented, “I decided to graduate early because | met all of the requirements and | wanted to work. Then after work my plans are to go to college.” Senior year also gave classmates a last chance to leave their mark as the Class of 1984, by winning team championships. Andy Prusa commented, ‘With the good season of the girls bask- etball season, the spirit really was there. The fans were there even at away games. It really made me proud of the school. | feel out of my four years here at HHS the spirit couldn’t have been better than in my senior year.” The senior class was drawn to- gether by even more unforgetta- ble experiences, from the drudg- ery of filling out college applications to the moment of re- ceiving college acceptances. Tina Maroon remarked, “‘It is a big step in deciding what to do after high school. | just hope everyone makes the right decision, whether it is college or work.” Together the seniors rallied in school spirit, in sharing the fu- ture, and in confronting the end of adolescence. Missy Putman re- marked, “I really can say that | had an outstanding senior year. The Jr. Sr. Prom was super and the winning of many sport teams really added a lot to the school y ear. Even though there wasn’t any school musical this year, it didn’t stop the seniors from hav- ing a good year.’’ The band concert of HHS TV turned out to be even better then the real MTV. Band senior Mark Rosen commented, “That is when | really felt that this was my last concert. The band seniors really had four good years, and the Phoenix Arizona trip was really worthwhile.” Graduation was one event an- ticipated and most seniors will al- ways remember when the wrong announcements were delivered. In spite of the first announcements, which said “Venice High School” instead of Highland High School,” graduation ceremony scheduled for June |, continued as planned. Tina Voegele summed it all up when she said, “That will really be the last time that we as a class are all together. | really wouldn’t want to belong to any other class but the 1984 class of Highland High School.” 1 Senior Brenda Korte stands with the rest of the class of 1984, during the graduation ceremony in the gym. Mini Mag’5

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Goodbye Fun and Games It's changing before our eyes. The world is now saying goodbye to the era of video games and moving on to the more serious side of the computer industry. Principal Fred Singleton stated, “We're no more in an industrial society. Now 65% of the world is an information society. School's are trying to pass this on to stu- dents for help in future jobs.” The students at HHS began grabbing hold of the help offered by the school. The jump from 89 students taking computer classes in 1983 to 135 in 1984, showed the growing importance in academic instruction. Junior Tammy Imboden, data processing student, stated, ‘“Com- puters are taking over everything. If you know how to use them, you'll have a better chance at getting a job. They make things a lot easier, and with people being so lazy...” The importance not only affect- ed those who are planning to further their education in a busi- ness field, but was also seen in the agriculture department as stu- dents worked to raise money for their own computer. “Learning the basics here can give you a better advantage against others in your job field. What we're trying to do here is teach those basics,” stated Single- ton. The basics were taught in classes such as data processing, computer literacy and advance programming by Ms. Cheryl Swafford and carried over into Stumped by one of the school’s computers, junior Gordon Rogier dwells deep in his mind for the answer. Rogier is one of the fortunate students who owns his own computer. the math department through the interest of Mr. John Hester and Mrs. Jeanne Probst. The question of how the school could manage to finance the growing field of computers is one that was often asked. Faced with the problem of the computers be- coming out-dated, the school wrote for grants and used part of the student activity fund to pur- chase new equipment. Education Plus also helped in any way they could by supplying softwear. The computer has also begun playing a large part in the smooth operation at HHS. Moving from a semi-computer system in 1983, the school converted to their own in house computer system, to speed up averaging grades and distribut- ing report cards. Mini Mag 7