For over four decades, teachers at Gig Harbor High School have been fostering education for multiple generations of students, creating a memorable sense of community, dedication, and legacy. Since the late 1970s, thousands of students have walked the halls of Gig Harbor High School, but each is only here for several years. In addition to students, teachers come and go as well. Only a few teachers have taught a majority of those past students, making them a key part of the high school’s past and current community.

Joseph Everett has been a teacher at the high school for the past 26 years and has taught a variety of subjects. He currently teaches Spanish but has also taught Washington State History, World Geography, Psychology, AP Psychology, US History, Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3, and Spanish 5. In a recent interview, Everett stated that the most important thing to him at Gig Harbor High School is the community and the support he receives from the staff members. He claims to feel a large sense of support throughout the school, including the feeling of encouragement given by other teachers. When asked about the social changes he’s seen throughout the years, Everett states, “COVID was really a detriment to students’ engagement and students’ ability to follow through.” He goes on to say that over the past 10-25 years of his teaching career, he’s seen more students complain about having to attend school, as well as the requirements needed to pass classes. Over the years, Everett has witnessed long-standing traditions in Gig Harbor High School that he claims bring the students and staff together. For example, Everett enjoys Tidesfest, the idea of the Tideguys, and the end-of-year assemblies. According to Everett, “I love the end-of-the-year assembly where the students go through the tunnel, as well as teachers’ get-togethers and the Christmas celebrations.” He continues by stating that events like these contribute to his sense of belonging at Gig Harbor High School.

Todd Northstrom, a favorite teacher among the students, has taught here at Gig Harbor High School for 27 years. In the past, he has taught over ten subjects, including multiple Advanced Placement classes and honors English. Northstrom states that he enjoys teaching at Gig Harbor High School due to the differentiation of each class and how intriguing it keeps his workday. When asked what the most significant change he has witnessed in the education system has been, he states, “It’s definitely technology. When I first arrived at Gig Harbor High School, I didn’t get a computer in my classroom until four months into the school year. He goes on to say that technology has not only benefited the way that a current classroom functions but can also cause detriments to student learning due to distractions. For example, he claims that the students that he currently teaches act differently in the classroom compared to students that he has taught in past years. Northstrom states, “They’re not different than just being kids, but they’re definitely different in terms of their social awareness and ability to talk in class at a normal level.” Northstrom also notes that students in the past used to be a lot more “personable.” Instead of walking in the hallway with their heads in their phones, students would stop to speak with teachers in an attempt to build connections. In the past, Northstrom has created a sense of community in his classes, making the school environment more enjoyable for the students. Some longstanding traditions he holds at the school include playing games with students and telling jokes before and after classes. By creating this sense of community within his classes, he has kept his students engaged and interested in learning throughout the day for his entire teaching career, which is coming to a close at the end of this school year.

Ultimately, Gig Harbor High School maintains a strong sense of pride among its staff. Without these long-standing traditions, teachers would not have the same level of investment as they do now. Long-lasting teachers support Gig Harbor High School because they provide student stability, better student learning through experience, and finally, the ability for teachers to build community trust.