Back to School Still Exciting for Veteran Teachers

Christine Andreasen and Jennifer Humphreys have both been teaching for over 20 years, but the excitement of a new school year never goes away.

"It's so exciting," Humphreys told Patch Wednesday. "High school is exciting because the kids are going through so many new experiences and they're excited to be here."

For Andreasen, she enjoys the rituals of a new school year.

"I love to meet the kids and do that first week initial dance and then settle into the work," she said.

Getting ready for a new school year has its rituals, too. Andreasen said she goes through her supplies to see what might need replenishing; pencils, pens, paper, colored pencils, posterboard, etc. Next, she takes inventory of textbooks and makes sure she has enough. Finally, she reviews lesson plans to be sure they're up-to-date.

"Racine Unified stays up on the new ways for kids to learn and retain that information so we have to be sure our lesson plans and grading policies are in line," she said.

The before-school routine also has teachers cleaning their classrooms, posting calendars and getting messages and information up on the bulletin board. Humphreys uses the large wall in the back of her classroom to put up posters related to history; of individuals, noteworthy moments, photos and more.

"We also have to make a lot of copies," Humphreys added. "We need to make sure every student has a copy of the class rules and a syllabus as well as the grading policy."

Both Andreasen and Humphreys say the best part of their jobs revolves around working with students. 

"I like to work one-on-one with kids and watch them reach that 'A-ha!' moment," Andreasen said.

Humphreys appreciates that not every day is different and that cable networks like The History Channel and Discovery are helping her tell interesting stories in her history classes.

"Getting to where we are sometimes involved a lot of blood and guts," she stated. "So, we talk about these stories, and those discussions can take a lot of time during a period, which is great because the kids really participate."

Both teachers want parents to know - both those of upperclassmen and incoming freshmen - that Case is a great school that has only gotten better the last couple of years.

"I wish more people could see what we see," Andreasen noted. "Case has improved so much and it's just such a great school."

Case Principal Jeff Eben weighs in on the upcoming school year. Click here to listen to what he had to say when Patch visited Wednesday.

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