MARCH 2020 Issue two page spread

OPINION
Is Northwest getting better or worse?
Sarah Teague, Morgan DelFava
op/ed editor, staff writer
Three teachers provide their perspective
Do you feel Northwest has changed over the years you’ve been here?
It’s definitely changed. The environment around school and the climate have all definitely changed.
It’s hard to explain what it was like when I started in ‘95. There were a handful of teachers here, Mr.
Parrish, Mrs. Little, but not many remain. I think I’m the third or fourth oldest teacher still here. I
didn’t have a working computer yet; there was no email for anyone. There was a different culture, and
you knew other teachers better across departments because the staff was smaller. There were a lot
more faculty meetings that would last a number of hours.
If you were principal/superintendent for the day, what would you change?
If anything, I would opt to give the schools more control over their policies and over their students.
Schools are very different, even from different parts of the county, they differ one from another. And
I think that administrations need to have more authority when it comes to control over the aspects of
day-to-day and the overall school.
How has the student body differed year to year?
We were a lot more rural in those days. In fact we still had remnants of some students that you needed
to look the other way when they would be out at certain times of the year. They’d be helping the family
bring in the crop. It sounds crazy but they would say, ‘I’m going to be out the next couple days because
it’s that time of year.
Do you feel that Northwest has changed to better or worse?
Better. I know that our scores have gone up, but I think that overall the principals have done a pretty
good job. Mr. Kitley has done a great job in terms of helping our schools improve not only their scores
but also the overall climate. There’s a lot of cohesion among students and teachers.
SKAGGS
Photo contributed by Julia Skaggs
COLEY
Photo contributed by Phil Coley
Do you feel Northwest has changed over the years you’ve been here?
Somewhat. The staff has had a lot of changes. There are still staff who have been here a
long time, but there are a lot of new faces in the last few years.
If you were principal/superintendent for the day, what would you change?
I would have even later start times. Teenagers need more sleep than adults, and biologically
their rhythm is off from the current school schedule. I think it would help a lot
with attendance issues.
How has the student body differed year to year?
It is getting more diverse. While it still is not what it should be, I think overall we are
seeing more diversity. The fact that as a staff we are trying to address those changes and
make all students feel welcome is a really good thing.
Do you feel that Northwest has changed to better or worse?
Neither. With any school, it has its pluses and minuses, and I think we are very fortunate
as a school community to be where we are.
Do you feel Northwest has changed over the years you’ve been here?
I think everything changes with the times. New attitudes, perspectives, styles. I think it’s a more
nurturing environment. There’s been more of an effort to make connections between teachers,
students and administration. You can really see that in the open house this year. It was a teambuild
as a department and brought the community out.
If you were principal/superintendent for the day, what would you change?
If I could change the day to day, I would figure out how to extend the lunch or add a study hall. I
feel that the student body has gotten busier and I think it would help with that.
How has the student body differed year to year?
I think you still have the same attitudes as far as apathy or when someone has something going
on at home; it’s just a part of growing up that is common to everyone.
Do you feel that Northwest has changed to better or worse?
Better. I think they’re working toward making it better, but just like in society, you’ll always have
people who push back or work against the system. Any good that we try will always have pushback.
I think as long as we’re trying to make the school a more welcoming place for everyone,
regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, we'll be fine.
8 www.northwesthorizons.com
JULIAN
Photo contributed by Andrea Julian
Teachers Phil Coley (upper right), Julia Skaggs (middle left)
and Andrea Julian (lower right) pose with former stduents.
These teachers have been at Northwest many years and have
a rich perspective about the progress of this school.