Kassi Stroud by Christopher Stroud
With so many teachers at Graham High School, not all of them can stand in the spotlight and get recognition. We see what goes on front and center as we walk through halls and see the teachers standing at the doors or in classrooms teaching, but what we don’t see is what is going on behind the scenes.
One teacher who works off to the side but helps to keep the school running is Mrs. Kassi Stroud. She has been teaching at the high school for 2 years now as a life skills teacher. She spends most of her time with her students, teaching them the skills they need once they leave high school. We asked her a few questions about how she was enjoying working at Graham High School. When we asked how long she had been working for the school, she had this to say, “I’ve been working for GHS for 2 years. First as a sub, then in September of 2024, I started working full-time, working in inclusion.” She has not been here as long as some teachers, but she has had plenty of experience here. We asked her what her favorite thing about working at the school was, and she said, “Interacting with the student body while teaching our Life Skills students to integrate.” As I walk through the halls, I definitely see her talking to as many students as possible. However, one thing she repeated over and over as we spoke with her was how the life skills class is a team. Everything they do, they work together to complete whatever task is thrown at them.
Mrs. Bazan by Hunter Clark
Mrs. Bazan is the friendly and welcoming face of Graham High School. She answers phones and greets visitors with a warm smile. Known for her ability to calm people down and make parents feel at ease, she plays a key role in enrolling new students and fostering a positive atmosphere. Fun, loving, and approachable, calling herself “The face of Graham High School,” Mrs. Bazan truly embodies the spirit of the school.
Mr. Bates by Carson Montgomery
While teachers often stand in the spotlight, our school’s success is deeply dependent on the individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Mr. Bates, one of our dedicated instructional aides, is one of those crucial figures. We sat down with him to shine a well-deserved light on his vital role and show our appreciation.
A typical day for Mr. Bates is continuous support, but his dedication doesn’t end when the last bell rings. He reveals the unseen effort that goes into his job. Mr. Bates says, “Most of the time when I go home, I have to prepare for the next day’s lesson, where I can help my students.”
This preparation is fueled by genuine empathy. While he notes that the hardest part of his job is helping kids with behavioral problems, his motivation shines through: “I honestly love them all, and I just want to help them with issues that they may be dealing with that day!”
The most rewarding moments are often the simplest connections. His favorite memory? “Whenever I say hello or good morning to a student and they reply with a smile, it makes me so proud!” Mr. Bates’ purpose is amazingly clear: “Seeing and helping kids learn!”
Mr Bates embodies the selfless support that makes our school community so strong. His dedication is essential to our success. The next time you see Mr. Bates or any other instructional aide, please take a moment to thank them for their outstanding work!
Mrs. Johnson by Ariana Harrington
Introducing Mrs. Johnson, the main Life Skills/Special Education teacher on the campus. Her day consists of eight periods just like ours. The first period focuses on math with 2-3 levels. The second and third periods are lessons with the super seniors. Fourth period, she’s a teacher’s aide for Mrs. Shook’s class. Fifth period, she’s back in the life skills room, going over English with the class. In the sixth period, they all go over science. Seventh period, she actually comes into my class, Coach Brewster, as a teacher’s aide. Lastly, back into the life skills room to end the day with her students. What sparked Mrs. Johnson’s interest in being in the special education field was that two of her close friends both had siblings with special needs.
Barry by Jordan Wells
Custodians, we all know we need them. They keep the school clean and often have some very unexpected duties. Barry is a custodian that everyone knows, one of the first people to greet you when you walk in in the mornings. After talking with Barry, there are some unexpected things that janitors have to do at Graham High School. Some of which include cleaning up anything that may fall out when the ceiling tiles break due to rain, cleaning up anything left after a fight, and, a little more specifically to Barry, finding lost jewelry. So really, there are lots of little things that the janitorial staff do that go unnoticed.
Mrs. Perryman by Dillion Teal
Mrs Perryman is the Librarian of GHS. She has been here for 26 years and is a staff favorite among students. In her own words, “I have been working since 2000. My favorite part of working is being in the library.” The library has also always been a place for people to unwind or simply relax. Mrs Perryman has always made the library a sanctuary for anyone. She controls everything in the library. From printing to poster boards, and laminating to checking out books, she does everything you need. She deserves a thumbs up!
Lunch Staff by Alexander Minyard
The lunch ladies don’t get much recognition, yet they do so much for the students and faculty. They cook for every member of GHS. They put lots of time and effort into keeping the students healthy and fed. They love what they do and will keep doing great things. Ms Terry said, “We love what we do, and keeping the students fed.” She’s a great person, and she’s always there for the students if they need someone to talk to. She’s been working here for 13 years now, and her team cooks great food and plans to continue being there for the kids of GHS. She’s mentioned that she would like the students to be more respectful, because they don’t understand how much they work for them. “Something that bothers me is the disrespect, and all of my ladies do their best to respect the students and help them in any way they can.” The students at GHS should be respectful and appreciative of their hard work.
The entirety of the staff works so hard to make Graham High School the best place it could be. So when you see a teacher, custodian, lunch lady, office staff, coach, or anyone else, let them know how much you appreciate them. I know they will highly appreciate the recognition that you will give them.
