My memories from DPS are extremely recent compared to others I have indulged in, but I feel they are, indeed, ones to be shared. I attended South High my freshmen year, 97-98 and I just have to say it was an experience I will take with me for the rest of my life. I must say with the extreme diversity of ethnic groups that attend DPS, students are engrained with an understanding, respect and acceptance of other beliefs and backgrounds at a very young age.
This ability, to learn, work, and socialize, with such a wide range of individuals, is one most adults have yet to master.
Having attended a smaller school district prior and after my short time at South, I must say the ratios of races were much larger. Therefore the tolerance and acceptance the students displayed was noticeably less than with the DPS system.
I was astonished and touched at the number of students that wanted to get to know me. Being extremely shy at that age I had no motivation to gain new relationships at my new school, but that didn’t stop the student body from wanting to get to know me. So many students and teachers alike, reached out, talked, and showed a genuine interest and respect for me as an individual that year.
The patience, and honesty, tolerance, displayed by the majority of my teachers in that one year was also one to comment about. With classes so large, and behaviors so varied (so many not really interested in learning), the teachers had to work extra hard in gaining the attention and making an impression on their students.
The sense of humors and the abilities to relate to the students that I witnessed were enormous. In my opinion, the teachers with DPS are more than just educators, they’re role models. For some students they’re the only support, encouragement and motivation received at that time in their lives. They make that extra effort, they take the time to go that extra mile, and a lot of them truly care about their students. It’s not just a job to them, it a passion, and to catch, and keep most of these kids attention it has to be.
The importance of the knowledge they are trying to instill in these young minds has to be expressed solely in their methods of teaching, and the creativity and talent I encountered with my teachers we extreme.
These and so much more are the impressions and memories DPS has left me with, and now as an employee in the service building I am looking forward to countless others.
Robin Short