Olivia Watson | Panthers Return Home
For Panther alumni who once roamed the hallways as students, the decision to return to Washington Township Schools as staff members is a full-circle moment in their personal and professional journeys.
Check out these Panthers who have returned home to Washington Township to make an impact in the very community that shaped their own academic and personal development.
Olivia Watson
Math Teacher at North Central High School | North Central Class of 2015
How has Washington Township played a role in your life?
It’s incredible to think that Washington Township has played a direct role in my life for 20 years now. Starting in 1st grade at John Strange, it has given me a safe place to explore, make mistakes, and experience the world through lots of different perspectives.
Fast forwarding to my 8th year teaching now, it has given me the opportunity to create similar experiences for my own students in my classroom (and even beyond my classroom with international student travel).
What is different in WTS today? And what has stayed the same?
I think the resources available to diversify learning have expanded. But what has stayed the same is the teachers and staff that stay year after year and put their whole hearts into the mission.
I now get to call some of my former teachers my coworkers, and the mentoring continues even though it looks a little different.
How has the Washington Township Schools Foundation impacted your experience working in the district?
Washington Township Schools Foundation has helped to fund so many necessary classroom resources for my math classes via DonorsChoose matching. As Senior Class teacher sponsor, it has also been incredibly meaningful to see how often their contributions make it possible for students to attend our events like Prom and Grad Dance. They often step in and provide financial assistance for students that otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford these events due to financial obstacles.
On top of all that, they’ve also helped to reward students with scholarships that otherwise might have accomplishments go unrecognized, which is something I’m super passionate about.
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