“I’m where I am for a reason—as are all of my yearbook students. Yes, it’s difficult, but most of life’s successes are that much sweeter during difficult times.” Northgate High School yearbook adviser Kathi Wright shares her positive philosophy for tackling this year’s difficulties.
Going the Distance is a new series about embracing yearbook challenges, available on the Balfour Blog. We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from different advisers and reps around the country.
I have a book written by Patsy Clairmont called, “Normal is Just a Setting on the Dryer.” Over the past few months, that phrase has been in the forefront of my mind. Everyone’s “normal” changes. It’s definitely a new normal for all of us. I don’t know if the world will ever get back to the “normal” as we knew it before COVID-19. So many situations are simply out of our control. So what’s the lesson here? It is this: Go with the flow. Adapt. Don’t rely on what was. When told no, think of an alternative. Enjoy what is. Do the best you can do.
I began this school year with 16 staff members. Three quit. Another four have chosen to remain 100% virtual throughout the entire semester—one being one of my editors. This is my final year of teaching. I will retire at the end of this school year. I’ll admit that I did contact the retirement system to see if I could bow out early. Then I thought better of it. I’m where I am for a reason—as are all of my yearbook students. Yes, it’s difficult, but most of life’s successes are that much sweeter during difficult times.
Our school year began 100% virtual for three weeks. Then we transitioned to a face-to-face hybrid schedule. Half of the alphabet comes one week, the other half the next week. However, 60% of our students opted to remain 100% virtual. So here I sit with one student in one class, three students in another. This hybrid teaching schedule is more challenging than being all virtual. But all I can do is the best I can do.
I have been asked the question: Will we have a yearbook this year? Well, of course we will! I mean, things are happening. Students are still involved with classes, clubs and sports. However, it won’t be like we’ve done it in the past. Our clubs are only allowed to meet virtually. The only Homecoming activity we will have is the election and presentation of the court. No pep rally, no dress up days, no parade. My principal just informed me our county will not allow a photography company to come to our school to take pictures of our students. It seems every time I turn around, another obstacle is thrown in my direction. But all I can do is the best I can do.
You’ve heard the phrase, “Think outside the box.” These are extreme times. We need to get so far out of the box that we can barely see the box! Now is the time to find stories. Find out about students’ hobbies, jobs, talents, aspirations, etc. This gives us the chance to dig deeper and really hone those interviewing skills. I sent a questionnaire out to the entire student body asking a myriad of questions. Only one-third of the students responded, but from those responses we got some excellent leads for interesting stories that we would never have thought to cover in a “normal” year.
So embrace the uniqueness of this year. Reimagine your yearbook. This one will be like no other. Set a new standard. And do the best you can do.
Kathi Wright is the yearbook adviser at Northgate High School in Newnan, Georgia. This is her 37th year as a business education teacher and her sixth year as a yearbook adviser. You can follow Kathi and the yearbook staff on Twitter (@NorthgateYB) and Instagram (YearbookNorthgate)