Walking out of your final class, saying the last goodbyes to teachers, and kissing high school drama goodbye is what all graduates dream of. Most don’t expect to return; however, several alumni have defied those expectations.
Six alumni have returned to teach at West Delaware: chemistry teacher, Jenny Seabold; counselor, Mackenzie Atwater; special education teacher, Melissa Hauschild; physical education teacher, Jake Voss; and two social studies teachers, Ryan King and Patrick Woods.
Jennifer Huehnergarth, the head of the social studies department, teaches history and psychology. She has taught two of her three social studies colleagues: Ryan King, a 2012 graduate, and Patrick Woods, a 2014 graduate.
“I’m like the mother of the department,” Huehnergarth said. “I’m the person they go to for a stain stick or advice.”
“Mr. King was in my homeroom, and I taught Mr. Woods in three classes,” Huehnergarth said.
Though once former students, King and Woods collaborate well with their more experienced colleagues.
“We are a reciprocating department; I gave them everything I had from previous years and told them to run with it,” Huehnergarth said. “They came back with tweaks and even created some new tools.”
Their teamwork has stemmed from good relationships established when the two were in high school.
“Students who come to teach at their old school need to remember the reputation they left,” Huehnergarth said. “I remember Mr. King brought enthusiasm and energy to class and Mr. Woods was a model student.”
King returned to West Delaware because both of his parents taught here, and the school holds a special place in his heart.
“It took me a while to realize how great the community and my experience was at West Delaware,” King said. “So once there was the opportunity, I came back.”
Similarly, Woods’ family lives in Manchester, and he had a lot of great relationships with teachers, coaches, and community members.
“My wife and I felt that this is a great place to raise kids,” Woods said. “West Delaware is a special place.”
