New Humboldt High School English teacher Grace Bazil entered USD 258 already familiar with southeast Kansas. However, this is a new level of education for her.
Bazil, who grew up in Gas and has a master’s and bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University, worked at Neosho County Community College for seven years. She said the transition has been good moving to the high school level.
From her experience at NCCC, Bazil said she felt her skills could be better used at the high school level.
“At NCCC, I was teaching a lot of what they call remedial courses,” Bazil said. “Students would enroll as freshman but wouldn’t have the reading and writing skills needed for the college level. I eventually decided that I wanted to take a step back in the process.”
At HHS, Bazil has a total of six classes including one that serves as a class for Allen Community College. Seniors at HHS can take the ACC class to get a head start on college units.
From experiencing student struggles in English at NCC, Bazil hopes to prepare them for college with the knowledge of being there.
“I want to show students that literature and writing doesn’t have to be removed from their lives because we have to communicate every day,” Bazil said. “Everybody has to speak and write a little bit. I want to try and find something interesting and to show them that this class applies to their life in what’s relevant to them.”
Bazil said the new position comes with a different set of responsibilities, including taking attendance and holding students accountable.
When student-teaching, she also taught at HHS and eventually replaced the teacher she worked alongside.
Bazil said her teaching content has not changed too much, though classes are divided into different subjects with some focusing on styles of literature while others are all about writing. She hopes to have high school students ready for college by teaching there.
On the side, Bazil likes to read horror and gothic novels. She enjoys being outdoors camping and hiking, but mostly enjoys reading fiction.
Bazil embraces change of pace
