On the week of March 3rd to 7th, our school took part in classified appreciation. This week is used to thank and acknowledge our classified staff members at Sam Barlow High School, along with any others. Some may be wondering “What are classified staff?” All staff members that are not considered teachers, principals, or counselors. Whether it be from secretaries to school lunch workers, Classified Appreciation Week is for them.
Lori Engdall:
Lori Engdall is our school’s Education Assistant Textbooks Administrator. She is a very outdoorsy person, enjoying hobbies like running, hiking, and biking. Engdall has been in this position for eight years, and has been in the community for longer. She was a student here at Barlow in the 70s, and has found the community to be quite strong throughout the years, making a good workplace. Her favorite part about this job is to be able to “interact with students and staff daily, and help them out.” Engdall’s job is essential to students and teachers, consisting of processes like “issuing loaner chromebooks to students who need one for the day, helping with production, and checking out novels and textbooks.” One important thing she would like all students and staff to do is “Pursue in life what makes you happy. Don’t follow something you don’t enjoy.”
Tia Molony:
Tia Molony has been working at Sam Barlow High School for nine years and has been doing her current job as college success coordinator for two. She is a big family person, as she enjoys spending time with them as well as tending to her garden and collecting vinyl records. “My favorite part of my job is seeing a student get admitted to a college that they dreamed of attending or get those scholarships that they worked so hard for. Planning for life after high school can be exciting but also stressful. I enjoy helping them through the process.” Her job is full of essential processes needed for students looking into college, like “helping students navigate financial aid, college applications, finding scholarships for students and helping them apply.” Molony enjoys Barlow’s strong community of students and staff. One message she would like to share with students in our school is that we shouldn’t rush things. “Don’t feel like you have to have your whole future planned out in high school. Take classes, get involved, take the time to find out what you love doing. Many students don’t figure out their college major until they are actually in college and that’s ok!”
Brittany Adams:
Brittany Adams is a Special Education Assistant. She has been a special education assistant for three years now. Her favorite part about her job is “Working with the kids and getting to know all of you. There are so many students, and I enjoy having fun conversations with you all.” She enjoys multiple hobbies in her free time, like video games, D&D, and traveling. A day in Adams’ position as an EA is described by her as “going to different classes, such as Biology, Global Perspectives, Physical Science, and helping not only the students that need additional support, but also helping and building relationships with all the other students.” She is also often seen in hallways trying to build better relationships with the Barlow community. “My favorite thing about Barlow is the bonds that we all have with one another. Not only with the staff, who I love, but the students create really awesome bonds with each other and it is neat to see how you all grow during your time here.” Something Adams would like the students at Barlow to know as they move on in their years of high school is “To not only be kind to others but be kind to yourself. I see so many students who struggle with being kind to themselves, but I think that is something that is a game changer in not only the attitude but in the work as well. When you are kind to yourself, it is so easy to be kind to others as well. Kind of goes hand in hand.”
