By: Elizabeth Boyd
Kaitlyn Jarrell, Federal Hocking’s former English teacher came back to FH after leaving. Before getting officially hired for the 2024-2025 school year, she was a student teacher with Robin Hawk, and than taught for FH for one year, and now she’s back again. For this school year, Jarrell is filling in for Valerie Forrider while she’s on maternity leave. Jarrell says she decided to come back to fill in because she really loves the community and the students really wanted her back.
She was at first scared that people wouldn’t welcome her back, but she’s actually really welcomed and she feels people love having her here. There’s been a lot of changes here since she’s been gone: new administration such as principal, superintendent and teachers she even worked on one-on-one are gone. She’s feeling the the more strict vibes in the school.
“I think this new administration is doing great. The school culture is about the same from before I left, the things people like and dislike have not changed.”
She stated that she loves that everyone knows everyone. She went to Gallia Academy and loves the small town school.
“I had a graduating class of 200 and I remember thinking that was small, til I came here, where this years graduating class is just 67.”
Her teaching style or approach has changed just a bit, since she’s a sub she’s less strict with guidelines and she’s helping bring grades up with the kids that are struggling with work and not completing it.
This year Jarrell’s favorite thing about teaching is everything to do with Homecoming, she’s loving the prep, and just ALL of it.
Jarrell stated she missed having a routine, a stable income, and she thoroughly enjoys interacting with the staff.
She enjoys having the freedom of a sub for an extended period of time, she can change lesson plans, and different than just coming in once in a while.
“She gives me the independence to grade, make and change her lesson plans and make it my own.”
After Forrider steps back in, she still plans to sub for FH and Athens, and maybe get a part-time job. Advice she would give the students or new teachers about adjusting to change or coming back after being away would definitely be to expect the dynamic to change, new students and staff to be less excepting due to not knowing you, but just keep being kind and they’ll except you eventually.
Intervention Specialist Logan Lehman, also known as Barbie, had some great things to say about Jarrell.
“She is one of the best people you’ll ever meet in your life. She has tremendous empathy and understanding of others. She’s also able to make any situation enjoyable. She’s both the life of the party and the voice of reason.”
Freshman Timmy Hines also had very good things to say about her.
“She’s a good teacher, she’s caring and she’s always willing to help keep and get my grades up and keeps me accountable.”
