“I like coaching better because then I can tell them what I really think,” said Coach Arnold. We asked different coaches and teachers what their thoughts and opinions about coaching, or teaching, multiple grades. Some answers were more alike than others. 

One staff member who moves between campuses is Coach Arnold, an 8th-grade Bearcat/CCR teacher at McAnally Middle School and a high school coach. When asked about his experience teaching and coaching students from grades 8 through 12, Coach Arnold remarked, “It shows me that kids don’t get much smarter.” We can only hope he was joking. Every morning, he starts his day early with football practice at the high school, then heads to McAnally Middle School to teach his four Bearcat classes. Despite a full schedule, his day involves constant travel—after teaching a few classes, he returns once again to the high school for some more football practice.

We also asked Mrs. Smith what the ups and downs about teaching multiple grades are in her opinion. While Mrs. Smith isn’t a coach, she still has just as busy of a schedule, maybe even more. She teaches all the three grades there are at McAnally Middle School. She teaches 6th grade math, 7th grade math, and 8th grade bearcat/CCR. When asked what she liked about teaching multiple grades, she said, “I like getting to know kids in all different grade levels.” It’s not always rainbows and sunshine though, there are definitely some not so great things too! Mrs. Smith said, “I don’t like having to run around all over the school.” Despite running around the school all the time, Mrs. Smith loves getting to know everyone!

Despite all of their busy schedules they still love doing what they do. Even though it’s a lot of running around and a lot of work, they still think it’s worth it for the students, and their education.