Sarah Thompson                                                       02/25/26

For most students, school is a place separate from home—a space where independence begins to take shape. But for some, those two worlds overlap in a very real way. Students with parents who work at school experience a unique blend of convenience, connection, pressure, and perception.

To better understand both sides of this dynamic, Mrs. Mundy and her son Zylar Mundy were interviewed. Together, their perspectives reveal both the advantages and the challenges that come with sharing a school building.

A Parent’s Perspective: Balancing Independence and Proximity

For Mrs. Mundy, the biggest concern was never about logistics; it was about independence.

“I wanted them to be independent, and I was worried that having ‘mom’ at school would be an infringement on that,” she explained.

As a parent of three boys who have all attended the school where she works, Mrs. Mundy was mindful of giving her children space to grow on their own. While some might imagine constant run-ins in the hallway or frequent check-ins, she shared that their days are actually quite separate.

“I really don’t see Zylar much during the day except in the morning when he needs gum,” she joked.

Despite working in the same building, she makes a conscious effort to maintain professional boundaries. During the school day, she focuses on her role as an educator, striving to treat her son like any other student.

“I just do my own thing during the day and try my best to treat him like all other students,” she said.

Outside of school, however, she shifts fully back into “mom mode.” When interacting with other parents, she is careful to respect privacy and keep professional and personal conversations separate.

“I try to just act like a parent when I am out of school. I never talk about their student or kid unless they bring it up,” she explained. “I guess sometimes if they do something really good, I may share it.”

For families considering a similar arrangement, Mrs. Mundy believes there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

“I think it is a personal decision that a family needs to discuss,” she said. “It worked well for us, but I can see where it can also be stressful for parents and their kids.”

She also acknowledged the convenience factor, especially when her children were younger.

“It was easier for us when they were all little because I was off when they were off. I know this is a convenience that not all parents have, and I truly appreciated that factor.”

From synchronized schedules to built-in after-school support, the practical benefits are clear. But the emotional and social aspects tell another story.

A Student’s Perspective: Expectations and Assumptions

For Zylar, growing up around the school environment has shaped his experience in noticeable ways.

“I feel people do [treat me differently],” he said. “First off, because of my mom, I’ve known staff around the school for my entire life, so I know some of them more than others, as well as they know me better.”

Familiarity can be comforting. Knowing teachers and staff members long before becoming their students creates a sense of belonging that many students don’t have. However, that familiarity also comes with assumptions.

“I think people get the impression that I’m held to a higher standard because of my mom being a teacher,” Zylar shared. “But it’s really just the pressure I put on myself and holding myself accountable.”

That internal pressure appears to be one of the defining themes of his experience. While others may assume he receives special treatment, Zylar emphasizes that his performance comes from personal effort and self-discipline.

One of the biggest advantages, he says, is simple but meaningful: access to a parent when it matters most.

“The biggest advantage is having a parent that I can see right after school, especially when I need food right before a game.”

In the busy world of high school athletics and extracurriculars, that kind of immediate support can make a difference. A quick check-in, a snack before a game, or a ride home without delay adds convenience and comfort.

Still, the social perception can be frustrating.

“The biggest disadvantage is that sometimes people get the impression that I’m treated better by teachers or have an advantage,” he said. “Realistically, I’ve just known some of them for a long time and try really hard in my teachers’ classes.”

If he could change one thing about the situation, it wouldn’t be his mom’s job; it would be how others view him.

“I wouldn’t necessarily change anything having to do with my mom,” Zylar explained, “but rather others’ opinions on me being held to a higher standard or me getting treated more special than others.”

The Flip Side: Privilege or Pressure?

The experience of having a parent at school seems to exist in a space between privilege and pressure.

On one hand, there are undeniable benefits: aligned schedules, built-in support systems, and lifelong relationships with staff members. On the other hand, there are heightened expectations, social assumptions, and the constant awareness of being observed through two lenses—as a student and as someone’s child.

For Mrs. Mundy, the key has been trust—trusting her children to be independent and trusting herself to maintain boundaries. For Zylar, the key has been accountability—proving that his work speaks for itself.

Ultimately, their experience suggests that the success of this arrangement depends less on the job itself and more on communication, boundaries, and mindset. When both parent and student are intentional about separating roles while still supporting each other, the overlap between home and school doesn’t have to blur identities; it can strengthen them.

As Lisbon’s school community continues to grow, stories like the Mundys’ remind us that every student’s experience is unique. Sometimes, the person reminding you about homework in class might also be reminding you to take out the trash at home—and that dynamic, while complex, can work just fine.

Photo Credits: Playgarden Online

Sarah Thompson                                                                         01/07/26

For some students at DAHS, getting ready for school is like World War III. From last-minute outfit changes to alarms that mysteriously don’t go off, mornings for high school students can be quite chaotic. While some students can roll out of bed and be ready in minutes, others can take nearly an hour to prepare.

Brady Carpenter, a senior at DAHS, says his mornings are almost always rushed. On average, it takes him at least thirty-five minutes to get ready each day, with showering being the most time-consuming part of his routine. However, the biggest obstacle he faces in the mornings isn’t inside his house—it’s outside. “Definitely defrosting my windshield and getting the snow off my car,” Brady said when asked what slows him down the most. If he could change one thing about his morning routine, Brady says he would eliminate feeling tired altogether, believing he’d move much faster and start his day on a better note.

On the other hand, Ryane Bing, a junior at DAHS, describes her mornings as “usually pretty calm.” She makes a point of giving herself ample time to prepare, which typically takes her 20 to 30 minutes. The task that takes her the longest is doing her eyelashes. Despite her organized routine, one thing that consistently slows her down is simply getting out of bed. “It’s hard to wake up in the morning,” Ryane admits. If she could change one part of her morning routine, she says she would want her hair to look good without having to spend time styling it, adding that it would make her feel much more confident.

Many DAHS students agree that mornings can be challenging, especially during the winter months. Between cold weather, early start times, and lack of sleep, getting ready for school isn’t always easy. However, students find small ways to make mornings smoother, whether that’s preparing the night before or sticking to a consistent routine.

Overall, mornings look different for everyone at DAHS, but one thing is clear—almost no one is excited to wake up early. Whether students are calm, rushed, or somewhere in between, getting to school on time is an achievement in itself. With enough alarms, a little determination, and maybe a cup of caffeine, DAHS students continue to prove that even half-awake, they can still make it through the school day.

Photo credit: @rhodenotfound on Pinterest