As a fresh new school year starts, students return again to the classroom, armed with fresh notebooks and facing a year filled with potential. While some are eager to learn, others are filled with uncertainty. All these students have the same question on their minds: Will this year’s lessons be truly useful? One constant remains though—students’ desire for impactful teachers. Meanwhile, teachers are juggling the education standards with their own vision of meaningful learning. 

Students frequently question whether their courses will offer real-world value or merely academic knowledge.

When asked about what Sean Ziegler (’26) learned that he thought was useful from core or elective classes, he replied “Not at all,” believing that he never gained any practical skills from his past classes.

Giovanni Castano shares a similar sentiment, feeling that what he learned hasn’t translated into tangible benefits outside of school. 

“All we learn are subjects like science and history,” said Castano (‘26).

Caught up in the monotonous routine of learning and memorizing extraneous facts, it seems to students that finding a teacher who teaches real-world applicable skills would be rare.

“They all really teach the same. They just put up a PowerPoint,” said Castano.

Luckily for some students, they have encountered teachers who make a difference, showing the practicality in their classes. 

“Ms. Miller actually tells us the advantages of her class, all the other classes we just gotta learn [the subjects] ourselves,” said Ziegler.

Ashley Chay finds value in some of her courses, particularly her business class, which she believes will be useful as she grows and builds a career.

“It’s just gonna be useful for the rest of us when we start growing or start our business team,” said Chay (‘25).

A common thread among students is that they thrive under teachers who are passionate and dedicated. Miles Forshay has notably improved his writing skills through AP Lang, attributing his progress to his teacher’s enthusiasm. 

“He makes things interesting…he’s really passionate about his job,” said Forshay (‘26), on Mr. Demer.

Mr. Demer isn’t the only passionate teacher around, as Castano finds his AP Lang teacher, Mr. Welser, equally inspiring.

“He really pushes you to be the best that you can in writing,” said Castano.

School doesn’t only teach academic skills, though. It can also impart life lessons, such as time management. 

However, behind every proficient class lies a proficient teacher, in Forshay’s case, Dr. Burko, his AP Statistics teacher.

“He hit his structures…you have to be really disciplined in your work. He taught me to put time aside for studying and doing work,” said Forshay.

There isn’t only one student who has learned a thing or two from school, though. Ziegler reflects on what he has gained from school.

“I’ve learned about time management. I feel like that’s gonna be with me for my entire life,” said Ziegler.

Teachers, having been students themselves, can additionally offer us important insights into the lessons they learned. Ms. Miller, a computer science teacher, attributes the efficiency and scheduling skills she gained to her education.

“You learn how to be efficient. You learn how to schedule and all kinds of skills,” said Miller.

Mr. Demer emphasizes that beyond time management, reading has profoundly increased his worldview. 

“When I read, I can get beyond the walls of whatever room I’m sitting in,” said Demer. “I can understand how what happens here is related to everything that’s happening out there.”

He hopes his students can grasp the broader significance of reading.

“One of the things that I hope my students takeaway is that the more you know, the more you know,” said Demer. 

While to many it may seem paradoxical at first, he believes in its truth.

“It sounds silly, but it’s like an exponential thing. When I learn about James Baldwin, for example, it leads me to two or three new things.”

While the debate on the usefulness of school will persist, it’s clear that the teachers who leave a memorable mark are the ones who truly make a difference.

“I feel like Ms. Miller will definitely say a few things that are gonna stick,” said Ziegler.

That’s the kind of lasting impression that students hope to take with them and teachers want to impart—not just for the year ahead, but for life.