Education

Written by Abby Spaulding It has been 39 years since John Calhoun first got a job at Salem Schools. As the 2025-2026 school year comes to an end, so does Calhoun's career as a teacher. When asked about how he got into education Calhoun explained, “Well, I didn’t have much of a choice. My parents took me to kindergarten 56 years ago and I haven’t stopped learning since.” Calhoun stated that his father was a teacher, and his sister is a teacher, so the idea of teaching came na

To say Mark Carter is anxiously awaiting retirement is an understatement. The veteran teacher, who has spent his 34-year teaching career at Salem High School, will lock his classroom door for the last time on May 21. Carter graduated from SHS in 1981 and had a vague idea of becoming a lawyer. He went to Indiana University in Bloomington and majored in political science. After that first year, he decided that was not the major for him and switched to English the following year

For the past 42 years, Renee Lamb has been a familiar face at Bradie Shrum Elementary School. A job she has thoroughly loved. “I always wanted to teach,” said Lamb, adding that she was influenced by her fifth grade teacher at Orleans Elementary School. “She was a very caring person – dedicated to teaching.” She said what she remembers most about that teacher was her love for reading. “She always read to us after recess and I can specifically remember her reading Charlie and t

Salem emergency responders were called to the Bradie Shrum Elementary School parking lot next the soccer field this afternoon to demonstrate a mock drunk driving scenario organized by Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.).

Written by Claire Schmaltz For many students, the band director is more than a teacher, she is a mentor, motivator, and the reason they love music. For Salem Middle and High schools Brittany Hildenbrand fits all of these standards. Hildenbrand started her career by doing everything band related in high school. “I was a part of the Marching Band, Concert/Pep Band, Honor Jazz Band (included the whole school corporation), Honor Band (included the whole school corporation), EPY

By Adalee Hobson Photo by Adalee Hobson On a warm spring afternoon, the sound of softballs cracking against bats carries across the fence of the outfield, blending with laughter, shouted drills and the occasional sharp whistle from the dugout. At first glance the Lady Lions look like any average high school softball team. If you look closer you’ll see a little resemblance on the field as the game begins. The same last names. The same features. The same instinctive glance betw

For some students choir is just another class, but for others it's a place where they can be heard. This is exactly how Caitlin Kemker wants it to be. Kemker's love for theater started at a very young age.

Jennifer Maudlin was thrilled to be one of the recipients of this year’s Giving Tree Grants through the Washington County Community Foundation. As a special education teacher at Salem Middle School, Maudlin is always looking for hands-on learning opportunities for her students. The grant allowed her to purchase caterpillars for her students to feed and observe through their life. “From tiny caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, students learned about life cycles, responsibil

Local educators are building a tradition of giving through Bohemian Supper Club. The show is this Saturday, April 11 at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds go to the Salem Education Foundation.

Written by Claire Schmaltz Photo by Delana Nolan When an athlete is down all eyes look for one person, and within seconds the athletic trainer is by their side assessing the situation and making critical decisions that protect both the athlete’s health and their future in the sport. Salem Schools Athletic Trainer Mallory Nice has helped lots of athletes recover and get back out on the court or field. Nice always knew she wanted to work in healthcare and battling through her

By: Natalee Boutelle Kenadie Garloch interning at St. Vincent-Salem Hospital. High school is a place where students learn who they are and what they want to do after graduation. One of the ways Salem High School helps seniors test the ideas of what they want to do is through an internship class. This class is designed to help students discover what they would like to do after school by providing real-life experiences in a career field. Junior/senior counselor Kevin Alberton s

Submitted by Jennifer Porter A Truly Life-Changing Experience: Become a Host Family in Washington County High School in the USA (HSUSA) is seeking welcoming host families in Washington County and surrounding counties for the upcoming school year. Hosting an international high school student is a meaningful opportunity to bring the world into your home while helping a young person grow academically, culturally, and personally. HSUSA students are 15–17 years old and attend a lo

Lisa Redmiles was awarded a grant through the Mahuron Education Fund of the Washington County Community Foundation to support an innovative mathematics initiative designed to strengthen students’ foundational algebra skills.

Rebecca Hardesty’s eighth grade math students are finishing their Transformations on a Graph Unit. Transformations include rotations, translations, dilations and reflections.

After years of not being offered, a new class is gaining popularity with students at Salem High School: culinary arts. Stefanie Dean, who is teaching the class, said the suggestion to offer the class was brought up to her several years ago. “The idea was pitched to me by using the culinary arts courses as a graduation option for the students who couldn't meet any of the requirements set out by the state,” she said. “They are life skills that many students don't get help with

Salem students are proudly bringing the musical Seussical to the middle school auditorium this weekend! This famous production brings together some of Dr. Seuss’s most iconic characters in one single performance that delivers a good time for the entire family.

Written by SHS Junior Peyton Maynard Students who are excited about marching, spinning flags and learning new skills now can do it thanks to a mini color guard program started by Salem High School color guard coach Stephanie Bower. What began with a few students, quickly grew into a group where younger kids can learn the basics, like holding the flag, marching and doing spins. “I take things a little slower and keep to more of the beginner skills until they have a strong ma

Written by SHS Junior Abagale Elliott SHS has many classes available to help point students into a guided entrance to the field they may want to pursue as a career. There are even programs to get a student an easier start in the job market. Having a head start from the beginning in today's field is something you cannot make up after the fact. One of these programs is in the library during 4th and 5th period and is designed for upperclassmen who want to go into the IT field.

Written by: Adalee Hobson Photo by Abby Spaulding Monday, the Lady Lions played Springs Valley. While the team suffered a hard-fought loss, freshman Kinsley Hollowell had a memorable night, coming out strong and breaking the school record for most 3-pointers in a season. This is a record most ball players work to obtain during their high school career. Hollowell reached it in her first season as a Lady Lion. The girls have two games left in their season and many opportunities

All three Washington County school corporations have made the decision to alter the normal school day schedule for Tuesday, January 20, largely due to the upcoming Monday night College Football Playoff National Championship between the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.