435 E State St
Athens, OH 45701

I grew up in Athens county. I had a decent experience in my own education but I had no idea how terrible it would be for my kid in the school system. Preschool was absolutely amazing, wonderful teachers and even though it was during covid, my kid flourished. We started East Elementary for kindergarten. The kindergarten teacher was strict and uncaring. Only giving advice on what she did for her own kid who was in the same grade. Saying we needed to figure it out. The 1st grade teacher was an absolute nightmare. Sent my kid home crying every day. She even chased my kid out of pickup the first week, with my child sobbing behind her, that she does not tie shoes and we need to "get it together". I hugged my child and told the teacher "im sorry that happened to you". This is the same teacher the middle school didn't want because she's horrible. The 2nd grade teacher wouldn't speak directly to parents, only indirectly through the child. I volunteered at the school on occasion and only got told from other volunteers that teacher was "old school" and parents need to know how to handle it and "if you know, you know". Whatever TF that means. The 3rd grade teacher was an absolute breath of fresh air. The kids gave her an adorable nickname and I cried in conferences about how horrible everyone else has been and I loved her for being so amazing. Finally I'll mention the front desk secretary. She is rude and judgemental and lazy. She was called out in local groups, along with my kid's 1st grade teacher, for stating in front of other parents that a child was a nightmare and they wish they weren't there. This secretary wanted a job at another school because the hours were better. Even the other school knew how awful she was and they told her how much she'd actually have to do to drive her away. We moved states away after 3rd grade and I was astonished at how amazing all the teachers and staff have been. I just thought, in my 40 years on this planet, that school staff were all just mean and hated their jobs and only stuck around for the retirement. How wrong I was. I love everything about our new district. Everyone I've interacted with genuinely loves their jobs and the kids. Parents are always an issue, but it's not the kid's fault. I always said I couldn't imagine waking up one day, deciding to be a teacher, and genuinely hating kids. I no longer think that.