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Class is in session for Frontier senior

Frontier senior Morgan Haught learns the value of the classroom

By Kristen Hainkel 3 min read

MATAMORAS -- A longtime connection led to a valuable job experience for Frontier High/Middle School senior Morgan Haught.

Haught volunteered in Newport Elementary School teacher Bobbie Mendenhall's classroom throughout the school year. She has known both Bobbie and her daughter Ella since she herself was in kindergarten.

Haught said the experience gave her a glimpse into classroom life.

"It taught me how the kids are in the classroom versus at home. You have to learn how to handle kids in different situations. I took the role of a teacher's aide, helping her with anything she needed," she said.

Haught was recognized by Bobbie Mendenhall and principal Todd Bradford at the Frontier Board of Education's March 21 meeting when she was presented with a book of Dr. Seuss's "Oh The Places You'll Go!" signed by students.

"I didn't know the kids signed the book for me. It was really special to me. It will be in my future classroom," she said.

Haught said she enjoys working with children.

"I love seeing them grow and learning new things. They are so sweet at that age. They are coming in new and you're teaching them the ropes for the first time," she said.

Out of the classroom, Haught babysits for various people. However, one, Weston Hendershot, made a specific impression on her.

"Weston has Down syndrome. Watching him grow brings me so much joy," she said. "He inspired me to pursue special education."

Haught said she was originally considering studying occupational therapy as a career, but that changed on a visit to West Virginia University at Parkersburg last fall.

"I told them how I wanted to do special education but I also like math. They showed me my best options on my first visit there. They showed me how I can do it all," she said.

Haught will study early education, with specializations in K-12 special education and fourth grade to Algebra 1.

Once she made the major switch, Haught said her family saw her stress significantly lessen.

"I was stressed about this at the beginning of the year. Now when I come home and tell them what I did in class, they say `This is working for you.' They are excited to see this play out the way it needs to be," she said.

Haught said she will graduate with 55 credits towards college through College Credit Plus at Washington State College of Ohio. She took various general requirements courses and has done so for both her junior and senior year of high school.

"Taking those classes was the best decision I could have made for myself," she said. "It was a no brainer to me."

Haught said her older sisters tell her how they wish they had taken the path she is on now, which only strengthens her resolve to continue.

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