The following blog was written by Mr. Bob Johnsen, a Social Studies Teacher at Carson High School. This has been Mr. Johnsen's first year at Carson and this blog is his experience of the year so far.
For someone who’s lived in North Carolina my entire life, I’ve experienced considerable transition in my career. This school year represents the fifth high school I’ve taught in over the past decade. Last summer I saw a special class of seniors off to their respective endeavors and said goodbye to a family of colleagues at North Rowan to seek a new challenge at Carson.
It’s difficult to win the respect of colleagues and students coming in cold to a new school. Based on my past experience, I anticipated that this year would be difficult, but ultimately rewarding. I was wrong. Rather than struggling to adjust, it’s felt more like coming home. I didn’t come into this school cold. Before I stepped foot in the building, there were people here looking out for me. Lauren West alerted me of the new social studies position. (Thanks Lauren!) Melanie Miller and Zach Overcash both put in a good word for me. My church kids, Morgan Warren and Hannah Smith took to social media to welcome me, while Kaylee Hawley greeted me at my interview with an overjoyed hug. Before I’d taught a day, Vinny Connolly, Donnie Mitchell, and David Hord went out of their way to welcome me to Carson.
I began to feel comfortable when my jokes at Capturing Kids Heart about “Chipper Chelsea” Wilkinson’s overly vertical hair didn’t fall on deaf ears. (For the record “Marvelous Mark” Weavil DID go to a sushi restaurant. He ate a burger). I thought I’d come someplace special when Mr. DelliSanti sent an encouraging email in anticipation of my first day. When the Orange and Blue Crew doused me with baby powder and made me do pushups at our first football game I was convinced.
Things have only gotten better. There’ve been homemade treats from Hailey Hildebran and pickup basketball jeers from Bobby Morrison. But the best part has been the kids. I’ve had the privilege to teach freshman this year, and while sometimes they seem not entirely human, I have come to realize that my story of transition is there’s as well. They have yet again moved to a new school, with new people, a new climate, new procedures. That’s an intimidating prospect, and it doesn’t end after one quarter. Even through senior year, our students are constantly questioning who they are and what they’re doing as they emerge into adulthood (you can put Kelan Rodgers in that category too). So while Carson may be entering its second decade, let us keep in mind that to our students, it will always be a novelty. I’ve had the benefit of a veritable entourage of supporters since day one, and it has made all the difference in my life. If we do the same for each of our students, it will make all the difference in theirs.
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