Elective Spotlight

If true crime or murder cases is something that interests you, then you should hear about this half-year elective class offered here at Central Valley Academy. It is called “Criminal Minds,” and it is taught by science teacher Carolyn Jones. In the class you read about disturbing or appalling crimes, and watch documentaries on Netflix about killers and cold cases. Not only that, but Jones teaches obviously the “mind” part of criminal minds and explains the psychology behind these murderers and the potential mental health illnesses they could be exhibiting. 

Some more background information on how this elective came to fruition, according to Jones, is that in one of Mrs. Spisak’s class the students were curious about what makes someone a serial killer. Jones had students in her forensics class telling her that they liked learning about serial killers. The idea was brought to Mr. Keeler and he created the elective class. Jones wanted to teach this class because she believed it would be like an extension of her forensics class, which she enjoys teaching. 

Currently the only group of students who are forbidden from taking the class are freshmen. Mrs. Jones recommends that the course is most appropriate for juniors and seniors, for some of the material is graphic and she doesn’t want to sugarcoat the lesson plans, or make it less graphic and mature. Jones’ favorite part of this course is watching the kids’ reaction to shocking plot twists or gory murder cases. The aspect that she found the most challenging for her was trying to teach this class while she was out with COVID-19, because a substitute teacher cannot really teach this type of sensitive content. The most interesting thing for her was how clear the killer or connection between the killer and the victim can be and how the students do not recognize it until after it is revealed. 

Since Mrs. Jones is retiring this year, she is not sure if this course will be offered next school year. They are trying to find out who takes all of her electives over once she leaves, and they apparently already found her replacement, so she is hoping the class will be taught again. Mrs. Jones has been teaching here at Central Valley for twenty years and it is her first year teaching this class, as well as it is the first year it is being offered. She had thirty-six kids in total over the school year take her class. Mrs. Jones is exhilarated for retirement and she plans on traveling to Florida, the Carolinas, take a Mediterranean cruise, and explore the Adirondack Mountains!