When students walk through the halls of Eagle High, they pass classrooms modeled by more than three decades of dedication. Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Schwager, and Mr. Corbett are some of the amazing teachers retiring this year. These teachers who were hired into the school 31 years ago have spent the majority of their careers here, building traditions and shaping generations. As they prepare to close out their time at Eagle High, three of the school’s longest-serving educators look back on the moments that defined their work.
Teacher Mark Snodgrass, known for his humor and honesty, didn’t hesitate to give what advice he’d give to someone going into education.
“They need to recognize their inner cognizance… that they’re just a cog, that they’re replaceable, that although they’re awesome, they’re part of a machine,” he said.
For him, groundedness has always come from focusing on what he can control. “My job is to teach the kids, and that’s what I do,” he said.
When he thinks about how he hopes to be remembered, Snodgrass keeps it simple. He wants students and colleagues to see him as “somebody who was joyful about being here… who liked interacting with the kids and knew a little bit about what [he] talked about.”
Some of his favorite memories include taking trips to the Capitol building, receiving artwork as a gift from students and hearing about the successes of his former undergraduates.
For teacher Paul Schwager, one of the most unforgettable moments of his career didn’t happen in a classroom. It happened on the volleyball court.
“My biggest one probably comes from when I was coaching… when Eagle won its first title in volleyball,” he said. That championship remains one of his greatest accomplishments.
Schwager has also watched education transform in ways he never expected. “When we started, we had zero computers… none,” he said. Now every student carries a laptop. The library that once held shelves of books is now mostly digital. Research, assignments and daily instruction have changed right along with technology. What he’ll miss most is the people; the hundreds of students he saw each day and the colleagues who became close friends.
What he looks forward to in retirement is much simpler: “not coming to work. That’s nice,” he said with a smile.
His advice to new teachers is straightforward. “Make sure you understand your subject matter… don’t get bogged down in all the rules,” he said. “Focus on your teaching.”
As for how he hopes to be remembered, Schwager points to the importance of U.S. history. “Almost everybody that’s taken my class is and will be an American for the rest of their life… hopefully, they’ll take responsibility and be voters.”
One of the most well-known teachers on Eagle High campus, Mike Corbett is also one of the three teachers to be concluding his teaching career. Corbett says his favorite memories come from watching new students walk into his classroom, find their footing and grow into themselves.
“Every year, you get this brand-new group of humans who are still figuring out who they are,” he said. “Watching them gain confidence never gets old.”
Corbett’s advice to future teachers is simple.
“If you take care of your students, your students will take care of you.” New teachers don’t have to worry about logistics as long as they care for those in their classroom.
What he’ll miss most is being a part of what he calls the “teenage club,” the energy and humor that come with working with high schoolers.
When he thinks about his legacy, he hopes to be remembered as “a positive energy at this school… someone who made this place feel a little lighter.”
Together, these three educators represent more than longevity. They represent the heart of Eagle High School: the relationships built, the lessons taught and the thousands of students whose lives they shaped. Their stories show that while policies and technology may change, the impact of a dedicated teacher lasts far beyond the classroom.
