Teachers are individuals who have already experienced their teenage years. Having gone through this stage in life, there are many things they wish students understood.
Ms. Boisoniau, an English Language Arts teacher at PHS, expressed, “I wish students knew that the world is much bigger than they realize. There are multiple ways to access that understanding, and one way is through literature; you can go anywhere in a book.”
Jose Mejia, another teacher who was eager to share his thoughts, stated, “I wish students knew how to make the right choices for their academic improvement, such as asking for help more often, so they don’t fall behind in class. It’s also important for students to get involved in activities, whether through clubs or sports, as this makes the high school experience more enjoyable. Getting involved allows you to experience new things and meet new people. Students should also participate in activities outside of school, like food drives, to support our community. Our school has different demographics compared to others, such as Chiwana or Sageview.” He emphasized that students should be more confident in themselves and in each other to improve their lives and futures.
IPal extraordinaire Lindsay Goding commented, “Students should take high school seriously because it is important, even if you think some classes are trivial. It helps you prepare for adulthood, fosters responsibility, and sets you up for future employment. Even if it sounds cliché, high school is not just a social experience; it is a significant period in your life.”
Our two librarians, Carol Rivera and Fernanda Santoyo, shared, “We wish every student knew that everyone is welcome in the library, despite our policies. We offer more than just books; we have musical instruments, board games, and craft activities that students can check out and take home. The policies are in place because some items can be costly, and we want to ensure they remain in good condition for everyone to use.”
Lastly, Geography teacher Tammy Burnett expressed, “I wish all students were respectful towards me. Unfortunately, there is a lot of disrespect directed at me while I am simply trying to explain a lesson.”
Many teachers at PHS hope that students will treat them with more respect, as they strive to create a comfortable environment for learning. Disrespect often leads to stricter responses from teachers towards those students, which affects the classroom atmosphere.
Overall, teachers at PHS wish for the best for their students’ futures, but also hope that students will treat them with fairness and respect in the classroom.
