Mrs. Hutchcroft Teaching New Classes

By Chloe Groom

Recently, there have been many changes in the Potosi School District concerning the staff. One of these changes has been with Mrs. Hutchcroft who was previously our DAC (District Assessment Coordinator), she has stepped away from that role to focus more on her role as a teacher. She was given this opportunity because of the retirement of Mr. Jerry Downs, our former history teacher. 

She says, “I am ecstatic to be back in my classroom full time working with kids.”  This has been a very positive change for Mrs. Hutchcroft because she is back to doing what she loves. “I get so much energy from the kids and being able to work with the kids and help them to learn and grow.” She has previously taught government, geography, psychology, and sociology, and has picked up teaching world history. She is very excited to be teaching the history class again and very excited to use the skills she picked up from being the DAC and incorporate them into her teaching. “I get to use the insight that I learned being the DAC and know those areas that they have some weaknesses in, I can do some activities in my classroom.” 

By doing this she is hoping to help strengthen her students’ weaker areas when it comes to testing. This will not only help the kids better understand what she is teaching, but will also benefit them when they take the ACT. This change has not just affected Mrs. Hutchcroft; it has affected how she teaches, and how her students are preparing for the ACT. 

Another person that this change has affected is Mrs. Foote, our new District Assessment Coordinator. Last year, Mrs. Foote came to our school to be our counselor. This year, with Mr. Downs’ retirement and Mrs. Hutchcroft teaching new classes, Mrs. Foote has stepped in to be our DAC. With this year's junior class preparing to take the ACT, it will be interesting to see if things will be different than they have been in past years or if they will remain the same. “Being the School Counselor for grades 6-12 is still my first priority,” says Mrs. Foote. However, with this change, she may have to sacrifice some of her extra time to being the DAC. 

“Does being the DAC mean that I might have to work late some nights or come in on the weekends? Yep, but what education professional doesn’t today?” She is very dedicated to her job, and her team, which made this role change something that she was willing to do. “I don’t view being the Potosi School’s District Assessment Coordinator (DAC) as being positive or negative, but rather simply the role that I currently play. Being part of a school is being part of a team. You simply do what must be done to ensure that at the end of the day you have helped the team complete the mission.” 

“I’ve hit some snags this year such as elimination of some tests, the addition of some new tests, and the loss of our computer lab making testing accommodations trickier, but I keep telling myself that once I have a full year behind me, learn the new testing platforms, and get the kinks straightened out, I will get better and things will be smoother. I am happy to be a staff member at  Potosi Schools and am honored to serve my students and colleagues in whatever role helps.” Obviously there will be some ups and downs, but her dedication to her job and team will help her to stay motivated through it all. 

Though there have been many role changes in this School district in the past year, it has overall been a positive change for all staff and students. The adjustments have been a smooth process, because of the positive and team-like environment of Potosi.