While some may say returning to their high school is their worst nightmare, others would do anything to return. DHS math teacher Camryn Lucas, for example, returned to Danbury High School as a teacher to further the education of the next generation. Ms. Lucas graduated from Danbury High School in 2019 all while being in Danbury schools her whole life. Not only does Ms.Lucas still live in Danbury, but her whole family does too. She attended Western Connecticut State University and worked as a student teacher under Ms. Hope during her senior year from January 2023 to May 2023. She graduated in May 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics, going on to start her first year teaching at Danbury High School in the 2023-2024 school year.
Returning to DHS
Ms. Lucas always knew that she wanted to teach in Danbury Schools, it was never a question. She had amazing teacher connections throughout her high school experience that always made her feel safe. Ms. Lucas wanted to give back to her community by being there for students in the same way her teachers were there for her when she was younger. Ms. Lucas adds that she would like to “help the future students that come here to better in the future.” As a past student, Ms. Lucas knows that teaching at Danbury takes someone who understands the dynamics of the people and building. Therefore, who better to teach at DHS than someone who has already experienced the crazy atmosphere?
Observations as a teacher
When you’re a kid, you don’t realize certain things that teachers do. One thing Ms. Lucas noticed only once she became a teacher was the disconnect among the staff. She speaks about how she only knows teachers on her floor and in her department, which can be a hindrance to students. Not only does she notice the disconnect between the teachers, but also the divide between families and the school. “One person came to my open house,” she stated. Ms.Lucas then went on to explain how involved her family was in her own school life, so it seems unfamiliar to her when parents aren’t active in a student’s life.
Advice to her younger self
If Ms.Lucas could give her younger self and students advice, she would say not to let the little things get to you and to ask yourself, “Will it matter in 5 years?” because most likely, it won’t. She wishes when she was younger, she was more involved and interested in school activities, encouraging students to take advantage of every opportunity to be a part of something at DHS.
Changes at DHS
Lots of things have changed within the past years, especially because of COVID-19. Ms.Lucas speaks on the specific differences from the time she was in high school to now. The population was much smaller five years ago and even though it was still busy at the time, it is a much larger population of kids now. There is a lot more leeway in classes with late work and extra time. Also if you fail a class, DHS provides credit recovery which is a new development. Ms.Lucas noticed that the student atmosphere is more negative in general as well. There is more fighting, people being rude to each other, and anger among students, something that wasn’t as active as a problem when she was in school.
Even though Ms. Lucas sees an uprising in the fights and negative attitude since the time she was at school, she still believes the school is overall a good community. There is an incredible staff that supports students immensely and wants to help kids learn and grow to their fullest potential. As long as students are willing to put in their efforts, DHS will continue to create kind, hard-working people.
