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| Susan Ball-Carpenter (middle), poses for a photo with fellow Academy Park High School teachers Susan Reutter (right) and Susan Ledyard (left) on Jan. 25, 2019. Photo courtesy of: Susan Ledyard |
Susan-Ball Carpenter, a local high school English teacher, has been connected to Academy Park High School for 28 years as a student and teacher. The 2019-2020 school year will mark her 24th consecutive year teaching at the school.
Ball-Carpenter was the first-ever students of Academy Park High School when it was created in 1982. She was apart of the first-ever Academy Park graduating class that completed the entire 4-year high school process in 1986.
Ball-Carpenter is one constant face at Academy Park High School, where the staff often changes from year to year.
Ball-Carpenter recently spoke to me over the telephone to discuss her life and career as an educator.
TM: Hi, Mrs. Ball-Carpenter! How is your day going?
SBC: It’s been busy. Since school has started back up again, I do not have time during the school week to perform household chores. Therefore, chores are performed during the weekends or school days which are not that busy.
TM: How is your life going?
SBC: Pretty good. My granddaughter was born a few weeks ago. Recently, I went to see her. The current expectation is that she will be home in just a few weeks if everything works out well.
TM: Do you think you have chosen the right occupation for yourself?
SBC: Yes, I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was in second grade, I assisted my fellow students in checking out library books. When I was a child, I played school as a teacher. Also, in the 5th and 6th grade, I performed some teaching duties with younger students.
TM: When Academy Park High School building first opened in 1984, you were one of the original students. Can you Please describe details from first your day.
SBC: The school, to me, felt brand new. The entire school felt fresh, including the classrooms and the auditorium. Very exciting experience. It felt like a new beginning.
TM: When you attended Academy Park as a student, which teacher was your favorite?
SBC: Mr. Morreta was my favorite because he taught me in school and was present during the big times in my life. He attended my late first husband’s wedding and funeral.
TM: Any other teachers that you enjoyed as a high school student?
SBC: Two others come to mind, Mrs. O’Brien and Mrs. Porter. Mrs. O’Brien always cheered me up when times were down. Mrs. Porter had tremendous knowledge and wisdom.
TM: You returned to Academy Park High School as a teacher in the late 1990’s. How did that come about?
SBC: Mr. Weaver, an assistant principal when I was in high school, called me one day and said there was a teacher position open at Academy Park High School. I was interested in the job. Shortly thereafter, I was called in for an interview and I got the job.
TM: Who would you say inspired you the most to follow your dreams?
SBC: My mom because she taught me to never settle. She put forth a goal for me for becoming the valedictorian of my high school class, which I ultimately succeeded in doing.
TM: Please describe explain the difference(s) that you have noticed at Academy Park from your student days to your teacher days?
SBC: The work ethic has dropped off. The level of disrespect and sass towards teachers has gone up. The focus on long-term education for students has gone down in my viewpoint. More emphasis on short-term, in terms of students wanting to focus on jobs and paychecks instead of books and learning.
TM: Why do you think disrespect has gone up?
SBC: Because some kids did not feel like high school is not needed for them. Those students just simply come to school to annoy teacher. And we make the students do work that they do not want to do.
TM: Tell me about the current student atmosphere at Academy Park High School?
SBC: Some kids are there to goof off and make the teacher upset. Some kids are there to immerse themselves in the full and complete educational experience.
TM: Can you briefly compare the student atmosphere of today to your earlier Academy Park teaching career?
SBC: Slow decline of kids wanting to learn and big increase of kids not wanting to learn.
TM: What do you think about the future of Academy Park High School?
SBC: To be honest, I am very scared.
TM: Why do you feel this way about the future of the high school?
SBC: Teachers now are asked to do more because the money is starting to dry up in our district. We must now literally buy our own supplies, instead of them already being provided.
TM: What motivates you to continue instructing high school students year after year?
SBC: First, A strong teacher base. My fellow English teachers and I work together a lot, so I am not alone. Second, I enjoy my relationships with fellow teachers and with most students. Third, strong commitment from me because each year from September to June, I have my mindset on coming into the classroom and teaching high school students. And lastly, my family due to the fact that my husband, Mr. Carpenter, understands how to be a husband of an educator.
TM: If you were given a chance, would you have chosen a different occupation?
SBC: No. Becoming a teacher was set early on in my life. I did ponder the idea of maybe becoming a mentor to student teachers on the college level. That role won’t have much substance these days.
TM: Do you have anything else you would like to add?
SBC: I wish that more students that pride themselves on education more than almost anything else. My job would be much easier if everyone is committed on the same journey to succeed not only in school, but also in life.
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