Pack of Panthers: Derby High relishes family connections within staff, students
November 13, 2018
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