Teachers often create traditions for their classes, something that can look simple but it actually has a more profound meaning.

AP history teacher, John Prothro, had the idea to put some jazz music in the class while students enter, this sets a calm mood and allows the students to prepare for the class. Prothro mentioned, “The music adds a little something, I think the students look forward to it.” Prothro normally puts directions on the board while the music plays on a separate tab. As the students get to their seats and begin learning. The tradition has continued for 20 years since he began his teaching career at Willis Junior High. His technique is to put music that does not involve vocals, this avoids students getting distracted by singing and to rather focus on the assignment.

World history and geography teacher Danielle Platt gives her students “Platt chats” which consist of a talk with her students about a certain topic that they have covered in class. This tradition has been around for about 10 years, her inspiration was to find something that students can apply to themselves today. In these chats, Platt shows a more vulnerable side to her students, she stated, “They see me as a person that cares about them on a different level.” “Platt chats” happen every quarter and at the end of each quarter they receive a compass pin, which is due to the exploration and trade unit the students had. Platt mentions “we all need to have something in our life that we can rely on when we feel lost or when we need to find our way.”

Statistics teacher, Thomas Rothery, has a game for his students as his end of the school year tradition. After the AP exams, Rothery still has 1-3 weeks of school left to teach. During those weeks he teaches his students about probability of statistics which includes a game unit. This unit consists of poker, lottery, roulette, and craps. He started these to show students how casinos used these games to have a mathematical advantage and shows how probability plays into them. His overall message is that students should avoid these types of games because the house always has an advantage. This tradition has been going around for about 15 to 20 years, and in his own words, “I think they [students] are amused by it.” 

Every teacher cares about their students in a different way. Many use traditions as not only a teaching moment but as a form of life advice that students can reflect on for years to come.