Written by Emma Arthur
Everything is still the same; the halls, the classrooms, the views outside, the community, but the roles have changed. Some teachers are now standing in the front of the class, teaching new generations. Their journey didn’t end at graduation. They have come back to teach in the same place that shaped them and made them into the people they are now. Teaching at the same schools that they once attended, they each have their own personal understanding of the place they’re in now and the full meaning of it.
Mr. Adkins graduated from Salem and is now an English teacher at SHS. He said that the idea of giving back to a community that gave him so much when he was younger has been fulfilling. He had teachers who pushed him to be a better student and athlete, and he has taken that into his current teaching because he knows how important it is to make sure students know that they matter. Adkins didn’t think he would teach at Salem at first, and said it has been humbling but eye-opening at the same time.
In high school, he had multiple teachers that inspired him a lot: such as Lisa Cooper, who made him first consider teaching English, Madame Schmidtt, Mr. Calhoun and Mr. McCurdy. These teachers inspired him in the way they encouraged him, challenged him, helped him to have confidence in his work, and led him to explore more hobbies outside of school. He’s now able to do these same things for students in his own classroom; he wants to give students a safe place to learn, share ideas, and grow, the same way his teachers did for him.
“It’s hard to believe I have 15 years of teaching down, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Adkins. “It is where I’m meant to be. It’s where I have grown up. It has also introduced me and re-introduced me to some of the best coworkers and friends I have ever had. I am grateful to say I’m still a Lion!”
Mrs. Abner graduated from SHS and is now a sixth grade geography and civics teacher at Salem Middle School. Abner always knew she wanted to be a teacher. The teachers she had growing up have greatly influenced the way she teaches today. She said her teachers were always very positive, creative and worked hard to make sure students got a good education, and she wants to do the same thing now.
Abner hopes to have as big of an impact as her fifth grade teacher, Dianne Ratliff, had on her; she is able to vividly remember that class today. She was able to have Mrs. Ratliff as a mentor when she first became a teacher at Salem, too.
“I hope I have as much impact on my students as she had on me!” said Abner.
More than 50 teachers on the Salem Schools staff have come back to teach because, even though the community is small, they consider it home. They grew up, learned about themselves, met their first friends, and had amazing teachers, all in Salem. There’s so much opportunity and encouragement that comes from Salem Schools. Most of the current teachers already knew they wanted a teaching career, but it was Salem’s past teachers who inspired and shaped them, making them the kind of teachers they are today. They strive to be as challenging, encouraging, helpful, kind, and so much more, as their own teachers were.