Teachers give advice on life after high school

By Taylor Ohrt

Editor

When students are getting ready to graduate, they tend to run to teachers for advice. 

“I try to give students the whole picture and not just one window,” gym teacher Mr. Meyer said. 

Science teacher Mr. Balouris gives advice to students for when they leave high school. He has won teacher of the month several times and teacher of the year once.

The high school graduation rate in Illinois is 89% according to the Illinois State Board of Education, a 15-year high. At CMHS, that number is 92.2% according to last year’s school report card. 

“I believe everyone needs education, and a trade and college could bring a ton of success to a student; it just depends on what the student wants to do,” Mr. Meyer said.

Mr. Meyer is not wrong. Jobs are always searching for people who are educated, willing to work as a team, have good flexibility/adaptability, good communication skills, depending on where some require high GPAs, etc. 

“Always get an education; employees are always looking for educated people. If you're not educated, they most likely won't hire you,” Mr. Meyer said. 

Most jobs these days depend on an education because it acts as a primary filter for future employers to assess a candidate's skills, trainability, dedication, critical thinking, and industry-specific knowledge. 

Mr. Meyer tries to push his student athletes to work their hardest so they can achieve their goals. 

“I've actually helped five of my baseball players pick schools to go to next year,” he said. 

This shows that students can come to Meyer when they feel they need help with a decision about their future. As an athletic teacher, it's different from being a MATH, SCIENCE, HISTORY, ART, etc. Science teacher, Mr Balouris, points out the good in his students, tells them good traits about themselves that could later be used in order to better their future.

 “I always point out good traits in my students and let them know how that could help them later on in life.” 

Balouris took a gap year, but he always knew what he wanted to do; it was a hard journey to get back into school once he got a job and started making money. Balouris follows with his opinion on students nowadays taking a gap year: “I don’t think it's a bad idea, as long as they are still motivated to go back to school.”

Balouris said he writes lots of letters of recommendation. Many students have found a good connection with Balouris, even when younger students move on to the next grade, they still manage to pop in and see him.

Balouris is kind to students and still reaches out to check up on them. I can speak for myself. I had Mr. Balouris my junior year, he still sends me emails here and there, but always makes sure to say hi in the halls. 

If Mr. Balouris could give one piece of advice to his students, he said it would always be to keep moving forward. 

“Always enjoy what you have, and keep yourself humble always.” Balouris loves what he does and tells other students to enjoy what they do because he believes it makes life easier. “Always do what you love, because if you do, you'll never actually work a day in your life.”

Maria Velasquez believed she should have a job after high school. She replied, “I do; I want my own job, so I don’t have to ask for money, and I could buy my own things and not have to ask for any money”. 

As teenagers get older, getting a job and spending their own money teaches them a sense of responsibility. They have something to do, somewhere to be, learn skills outside of school, learn to save money, finish what needs to be finished, and allow people to become more independent or social. 

“I want to be a vet tech,” Velasquez said, "A lot of people told me to pick something else, though, because they don’t believe I could do this, but I really want to prove people wrong, which is why I believe so strongly in myself.” 

Velasquez also stated that if her plans didn’t work out, she had two backup plans: “a dental hygienist or a real estate agent,” Velasquez said.

Junior Ryanne Pritchard is developing an idea for her future early; she already has a job and is considering something better. 

“As of right now, I want to stay at Cone Cottage, but I might look for something better down the line. I plan on attending college, but I haven't decided what college yet. “I’ve looked into Prairie State, Chicago State, and UIC.”