INNOVATION

Behind the scenes of Mrs. Christine Corbin’s classroom is a story shaped by perseverance, family influence, and a passion for engineering. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in materials engineering, Corbin said her father played a major role in her journey. When she struggled in college and considered quitting, he encouraged her to keep going. “Nope, you’re going to follow this through, no matter what,” she recalled him telling her. She credits him not only for pushing her to finish her degree but also for teaching her much of what she knows about accounting and problem-solving. Corbin began teaching in 2005 after deciding she wanted a new challenge and a more meaningful career. Now, in her classroom, she blends math, science and engineering into hands-on lessons that go beyond textbooks. She described her experience at the school as a “10 plus,” saying she loves doing something different each period and interacting with students daily.

Students say that dedication is evident in her teaching. Devri Chappell, a civil engineering student in Corbin’s class, described the course as both demanding and rewarding. “I would say eight out of 10, because her class is very challenging,” Chappell said. “So it pushes me to be better, but it’s also a lot of work.” Chappell rated the workload a seven out of 10 and said 3D modeling in Fusion is one of the most difficult units, noting that instructions can sometimes shift during projects. Even so, she emphasized that the engineering-based activities make the effort worthwhile. “Everything we do in that class is really fun,” she said. Through high expectations and real-world application, Corbin’s behind-the-scenes preparation continues to inspire students to think critically and push beyond their limits.

LEADERSHIP

Leadership teacher Miss Ford continues to make an impact through her Education and Leadership Teaching and Training program, where students gain real-world skills that prepare them for future careers in education. A secondary education major with an emphasis in social studies, Ford began teaching in 2017 and now advises FCCLA, helping students focus on service and strengthening community connections. “We help out with service and try to connect families within our community,” she said. Ford, who said she looks up to Dolly Parton for her advocacy of literacy, shared that her first year teaching middle school came with challenges like immaturity and behavior issues. Still, she now rates her experience at the school a 10 out of 10, saying the culture and sense of community are what motivate her to stay. During the interview, one student jokingly kept repeating “This class,” referencing that particular period’s reputation for being her craziest group. The lighthearted moment reflected the playful dynamic Ford has built, even with students who test boundaries from time to time.

Not all students share that same spotlight for behavior, however. Devai Harris said the class is one of her favorites because of the leadership skills it teaches. “There’s really good leadership skills that she teaches, and I think that’s very helpful,” Harris said. She described the class as “very chill and laid back,” while still being meaningful and career-focused. Instead of traditional coursework, Harris said students are learning how to present themselves, create lesson plans and prepare to teach younger students. She recently helped create a backup lesson plan in case technology fails and said she is especially excited about working with kindergarteners in the future. While some classmates bring humor and high energy to the room, Harris emphasized that Ford’s class ultimately prepares students with responsibility, confidence, and hands-on experience in becoming future teachers.

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