Junior high and high school – although both share the word high, they come with their own differences. Going from one to the other is a whole different challenge, but one that Julie Mashaney is currently taking on. 

Mashaney taught at Little Cypress Junior High before coming to teach math at the high school this year. In order to successfully make this change, she first had to realize the differences between the two campuses. 

“High school students generally have their eye on the future and an awareness of the gravity the arrival of adulthood carries,” Mashaney said. “Except for freshmen, who have reverted to sixth graders and sometimes become feral.” 

To adapt, Mashaney also had to not only adopt new habits and techniques but hone old ones as well. One of these techniques was volume when teaching. 

“I got louder,” Mashaney said. “I’ve always been loud, but now it’s excessive. In fact, I’ve already lost my voice.” 

Mashaney had multiple different inspirations and mentors to start teaching, from different areas of her life. 

“I came from a family of teachers,” Mashaney said. “I think it’s just something that you do naturally, and it’s nice to get paid for it. I went to LCM in the 90s and had the best mentors in Nelson Nolden and Jane Dunn.” 

 Not only does Mashaney remember the people who inspired her, but she also has memories of her past years in education. 

“I’ve seen kids do all kinds of crazy and amazing things,” Mashaney said. “I’ve laughed and cried along with them. From a scholastic point, I’ve cherished each time I’ve told a kid who doubted themselves that they passed a test. Personally, I love the unscripted moments of adolescence.”