Southwest Lariat

 A bittersweet goodbye: Honoring two beloved teachers

By: Jayla Turner

    As the school year closes out it's a bittersweet time at the Ranch. This year Southwest High school says goodbye to two of our most beloved teachers. Tracy Repko, a Math 3 teacher, and Derrick Hinson, a World History and AP European history teacher. With both of them working at Southwest for over twenty years and leaving a lasting mark on the school and hundreds of students, they will for sure be missed. I sat down with both of them to reflect on their careers as educators and what they plan on doing next. 

What inspired you to become a teacher? 

Repko: “I was fortunate to have several caring and supportive teachers in my own childhood, especially when things were tough.” 

Hinson: “I had two great drafting teachers and two great history teachers, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps and eventually coach as well.” 

How has teaching changed since you started? 

Repko: “Honestly, we used to have a lot more fun... the kids and the staff. I miss that, and I think it would make a big difference if we could all learn, have high expectations, but still have some laughs.”  

Hinson: “A lot has changed. Classroom management and keeping students engaged and on task has become difficult...through the years the phones and the earbuds haven’t helped.” 

What are some of your most memorable moments from your teaching career? 

Repko: “Our kiss the pig event, cow bingo, making Alan Parker (principal) sing a variety of embarrassing songs to the school, the prank war I had with Glenn Boulton, planning numerous proms and school events, doing community service projects with my students, but mostly moments with our Adapted Curriculum Class.” 

Hinson: “I’ve had really great students over the years, some that have become nurses and some even teachers and that's great, as well as the coaching part of it. I've had a JV football team that went undefeated for one year, as well as coaching middle school softball and winning a championship there.” 

What do you think has been your greatest accomplishment as a teacher? 

Repko: “I think I have helped a lot of students to learn some math, but also how to be responsible, and accountable humans.” 

Hinson: “The longevity, a lot of teachers come and go or get out of it, so not only teaching for twenty-four years but teaching at Southwest for twenty-four years.”  

Have any students made a lasting impact on you?  

Repko: “Several yes! I have been to weddings, baby showers, and funerals of former students. I have had students and their siblings and sometimes their own kids. Being in a community, you gain so much more from them than they do from you.” 

Hinson: “One of the first years that I was here, I had a young man named Sean and his last name was Callahan, his brother went to Afghanistan, after 2001 and was one of the first casualties. I used to bring my son in a lot during football games and now my son named his son Callahan after that student...I think it stuck with him all this time, so yea I’ve had students like that that have meant a lot to me.” 

What advice would you give to new teachers just starting out?  

Repko: Be available, go to the games, the concerts, the plays... hug them in happy times and sad. This is not a job... It is a career... be in it for the long haul  

Hinson: I would tell them hang in there, it gets better. The first year will be hard but get through that first year and things will get better.” 

What lessons have you learned from your students over the years? 

Repko: Lots of terminology!!!!! And of course, they teach me technology 

What are you looking forward to most in retirement? 

Repko: I’m not sure yet... I have to start another job! But hopefully one without meetings and data 

Hinson: More time with my grandkids, I'll be able to go to more games and spend more time with them. I’ve got a master's degree, I would still maybe like to get my doctorate, as well as go to Europe two or three more times.” 

Do you plan to stay involved in education in any other way or are you done completely? 

Repko: Only time will tell... 

Hinson: “I'm looking at community colleges or maybe a Christian school and working there for two more years.” 

How do you hope your students remember you?  

Repko: That’s a tough one... I’ve been told I'm strict “but usually in a good way” so I hope students know I expect them to become productive and involved adults.” 

Hinson: I hope they remember me as someone who cares, um... I cared about the subject, and I tried to pass on the history as well as some life and character lessons, I cared, and I wanted to see them be successful.”  

   As Mrs. Repko and Mr. Hinson close out this part of their lives, they leave behind a lasting impact on the school and the students. Their hard work, dedication, and care will not go unnoticed, and they remind us that teaching is more than lesson plans and tests, but about connection, impact, and care.