Pack of Panthers: Derby High relishes family connections within staff, students

Teacher Katherine Murphy and son, Tyler Murphy, who is a freshman.

EllieAna Hale

  • Teacher Katherine Murphy and son, Tyler Murphy, who is a freshman.

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  • Principal Tim Hamblin and son, Conley Hamblin, Who is a freshman.

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  • Teacher Austin Glanville and sister, Abbigayle Glanville, who is a senior.

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  • Pando Initative’s Jenny Heseltine and Daughter, Alexa, who is a sophmore.

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  • Teacher Cindy Edwards and daughter, Kariann Edwards, Who is a senior.

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Imagine walking to class … and your mom or dad is trailing behind you to go to a class of their own.

That’s the life of many Derby High School students.

And really, it’s not all bad.

“I really like having my mom in the school. Honestly, I feel like some kids would think it would be weird having your mom or dad in your building, but I really enjoy it,” said Alexa Heseltine, whose mom works with Pando Initiative in A-5.

Students with parents teaching nearby generally enjoy having their parents close.

Always there to sign permission slips, help with homework, or to even give you rides after school or to school events.

“I think always having them around is helpful. You always have them there if you need a paper signed or something,” Heseltine said.

Students also feel that they always have a support system with them. Whether they are at home or they are at school.

Teachers enjoy having their own child in their class as well, always teasing and having a fun time with them outside of the house, as well.

“Working so close to my children is great most of the time. We’ve actually navigated them being in the building pretty well. I try to leave them alone so if they are around me, it’s probably because they’ve sought me out – usually for food or money,” said Stacey Lindsey, mother of Cade and Cason.

DHS will always be a family-friendly place.

“It’s certainly helped them more than it has hurt them, although I think all teachers kids get held to a higher standard. I’m right here to sign permission slips, provide a snack or Tylenol, or maybe run home at lunch for forgotten wrestling shoes,” Lindsey said.

 

Audrey Allen *Trisha Kellenbarger, teacher/mom

Kori Armbruster *Blayne Chansler, son

Robert Ash *Grant Ash, son

Kelley Baney *Lacey Baney, daughter; James Baney, son

Dawn Bankston *Braiden Bankston, son

Joanna Chadwick *Blake Chadwick, son

Analia Carter *Ryan Carter, son; Julia Carter, daughter

Diane Dixon *Niamh, daughter; Liam, son

Cindy Edwards *Kariann, daughter

Brett Flory *Brooke Cooper, stepdaughter

Jarrod Foster *Cole Farquhar, nephew

Janice Frazee *Beth Lankford, counselor

Tawna Hall *Gavin, son; Bailey, daughter

Tim Hamblin   *Conley Hamblin, son

Jenny Heseltine *Alexa Heseltine, daughter

Kelly Holopirek *Alex Holopirek, son; Liv Holopirek, daughter

Hayley Hutchinson *Evander Hutchinson, son

Holly Jeffery *Michael Jeffrey, teacher/husband; *Gretchen Greer, daughter

Michael Jeffery *Holly Jeffrey teacher/wife and daughter, Hailey Jeffrey

Trisha Kellenbarger *Audrey Allen, teacher/daughter

Kris Johnson *Jennifer Johnson, teacher/daughter

Garrett Labarge *Paul Labarge, teacher/dad

Paul Labarge *Garrett Labarge, teacher/son

Beth Lankford *Janice Frazee, secretary/aunt

Stacey Lindsey *Cade Lindsey, son; Cason Lindsey, son

Elizabeth Linn *Kenneth Linn, teacher/nephew

Kenneth Linn *Elizabeth Linn, teacher/aunt

Gary Meitler *Maci Meitler, daughter; Peyton Meitler, son

Katherine Murphy *Tyler Murphy, son

Gretchen Pontious *Mitchell Pontious, teacher/husband

Mitchell Pontious *Gretchen Pontious, teacher/wife

Robert Rhodes *Avery Rhodes, son; cousin Krista Menges; cousin Timothy Dillon

Amy Rohr *Trey Watkins, son

Bill Ross *Cooper Ross, son

Suzanne Sevick *Connor Sevick, son

Allison Strecker *Abby Strecker, daughter

Gail Svymbersky *Sadie Svymbersky, granddaughter

Kelly Watkins *Reese Watkins, son

Christine Weve *Jordan Weve, son