Some last names are common. Some last names aren’t. But when you see a student and a staff member with the same last name, especially if their name is as unique as Niehaus, Holbert, or Motsinger, you have to know that cannot be a coincidence.
These students (including this staff writer) have to think twice before they do anything. These students have to deal with their parents at home AND at school too. These students need to make sure their grades stay up because at any moment their parent can check them. And last but not least, these students need to deal with “Are you Mr/Mrs/Ms.(insert last name here)’s kid?” Sometimes it is followed by “can you get them to delay the quiz?”
Not that teacher kids don’t love their parents, but it gets annoying after 10, 11, 12, 13 years of school. “Yes, I am their kid. How many people do you know who live in this small town with my last name? My dad? My mom? My sibling(s)?”
Senior Jack Ward says “It’s definitely different” to go to school where your parent works.” His dad, Mr. Trevor Ward, is a DECA teacher here at the high school. One thing Jack likes about having his dad work here is that it works out for “…golf and going on DECA trips with me… He is always a chaperone.” One thing he doesn’t like about having his dad work here is “…people taking advantage of it.” Jack believes that “It’s cool to experience things together” and “It’s a comfort” to have his dad here.
Freshman Kaylie Holbert likes having her mom work in the building. Her mom, Mrs. Emily Holbert, is a Special Education teacher. What Kaylie dislikes about having her mom work here is “ … when she walks in and everyone’s like ‘Oh, there’s Kaylie’s mom.’” What she loves about having her mom work at her school is “.. having someone I can fall back on and rely on.”
Sophomore Grant Meibers believes that there are “.. definitely positives” to having his dad work at the school. Grant’s dad, Mr. Mark Meibers, is Athletic Director and Assistant Principal. “It is cool to have that sense of belonging,” said Grant when asked if he likes having his parent work in the building. One bad thing about having your parent work here, Grant says, “They always know what you’re doing.”
There are definitely drawbacks to having your parent work at your school, including pressures most students don’t have to endure such as wondering if your parent is lurking around corners waiting to embarrass you. Sometimes you feel like you have to be hyper aware of your every move. Nonetheless there are benefits. You always have a place to put your lunch box and are never without a ride, but most of all, you know there’s always going to be someone in the building cheering you on.
