During homecoming week, civics teacher Jaclynn Olson has a special way of making homecoming memorable for her ninth grade civics students. Olson has learned how to make her students enjoy every last bit of it, as each student only gets one freshman homecoming. 

Olson has been doing it for 22 years. She has always taught ninth grade civics, meaning she always has the new freshmen class to teach, not only about civics, but about the high school experience. 

“When I first started I taught Psychology, Civics and World History…” Olson said. “Civics has always taken the majority of my teaching schedule.”

Olson had a son who graduated from Superior High School, so she has seen both sides of what homecoming is like. With first hand experience, it’s easy to see how much Olson enjoys teaching, always bringing a bright smile to the classroom. 

She encourages her freshmen to participate in dressing up during the week. She notes that it’s their first opportunity to participate in high school activities. Not only does she encourage students with her voice, she shows them as she dresses up for the daily themes. 

Sophomore John (Trip) Row remembers how Olson dresses up every day. Trip dressed up three out of the four days of the homecoming week, which is the kind of participation Olson was encouraging. 

Olson makes sure to let students know she’s there to help and to encourage them throughout. It may be hard to see at times but subtle things like dressing up, can go a long way. Olson finds a way to get her students involved and for some, it makes a huge difference.