School is a place where all come together to share experiences and learn new subjects. While some students don’t exactly enjoy a class, it is sometimes claimed as boring or interesting to them. This can also include entire subjects, causing students to lose intrinsic motivation and begin to drop their grade in that class. But why? Why is it that students suddenly go from having a good class one year, then find themselves in a less favorable class the next, even if the same subject is involved?

Teachers of course! 

While subjective, students find themselves bonding with the teaching staff of their school, including here at South High. When a student finds a teacher they like, they tend to learn the class better, and understand the subject better as well.  Take South High’s English teachers for example. Here at South High, every sophomore student must take English 2. However, the content in that English 2 class and the way it’s taught can vary widely, depending on who you have as a teacher.

Sophomore Jolie Spencer and sophomore Caitlin Jackson both take English 2, but have different teachers..

“I’m average at English, but I enjoy the class because of my teacher. It’s easy to get work done. Mrs. Boyce makes things make sense to me,”  said Jackson.

Spencer has Dani Whitcher as her English 2 teacher.

“I like it, it’s fun. I’m pretty good at English. Mrs. Whitcher makes the class enjoyable, because once the lesson is over, you have room to breathe and work,” Spencer said.

The class being paced more traditionally is what Spencer said she enjoyed, going in the format of an intro, then a lesson, then working until the bell. This method of learning is not for everyone however, as when both sophomores were asked if they’d switch with the other, they respectfully declined.

A similar case of this is found in our upperclassmen too. When given the choice of what English classes to take for their final year, seniors Joseph Ditch and Conner Stiefer both chose College Composition.

“I think it’s a good opportunity that teaches you how to write more productive and get ready for college. I like the class, but at the same time it’s just writing. I think everyone likes Mrs. Lesko, I feel that she makes it pretty easy on us,” Stiefer said.

Stiefer provides his own insight of College Comp with Lesko, saying that she’s very easy going when it comes to assignments and essays. He decided to take the class because it was a good opportunity to learn what English may be like in college, so he can get a little more experience before graduating.

“I took it to better my college essays, so I can find college easier. I like how he teaches, but I notice a lot of kids don’t really try–some people just go in, do the work, they already have their college apps done so they lose interest in the first few months,” Ditch said.

While he enjoys College Comp with Mr. Wissinger, he claims that students don’t want to do the work. He said Wissinger does a good job at engaging with his students, despite the disconnect in interest.

When both seniors were asked if they’d switched with the other, they both respectfully declined.

Stiefer said the workload was the reason he’d stick with Lesko.

“I heard they do like, an essay per day, which would get you prepared for college, but that isn’t for me,” Stiefer said.

Ditch also said he was happy with his teacher.

“I don’t know Mrs. Lesko, but I enjoy Mr. Wissinger because he’s giving us work and keeping us busy, the only way to do poorly is not doing work,” Ditch said.

When all four students were asked “Should students be able to see what teachers teach what classes?” they all agreed.

“I think that students knowing what they’re getting into is good for their planning and their future,” Stiefer said.