Starting his third year at Cordell Schools, seventh through twelfth grade history and economics teacher Buddy Holman has made a huge impact in the lives of many students and faculty members. With his positive outlook and active involvement with junior high and high school sports, Holman has made it clear why he was chosen for this week’s Cordell Blue Devil Faculty Spotlight.
We got the opportunity to sit down with Holman as he discussed what his favorite things about teaching are and how his career at Cordell Schools is going thus far.
•Can you tell us a little about yourself? Who are you, what do you do, how long have you been here?
I have been in Western Oklahoma my whole life. I was born in Clinton, OK and we lived in Bessie until I was a freshman. Halfway through freshman year we moved to a farm east of Rocky. I went to Cordell Public School from kindergarten until I graduated in 2003. I continued my education at SWOSU and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. I like to tell people it only took me 10 years to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up! I started teaching at Cordell Schools in August of 2019. We started a personalized academic program, and I managed that for two years. This year I started teaching Economics, Oklahoma History, and Modern History and I drive a school bus. I am also the JH/HS assistant soccer coach and I am a Student Council Sponsor! I live here in town with my wife, Misty and my two daughters, Emma’Leigh and Ellison.
•We’re about three months into the school year, how has it been so far?
Everything is going great! Things seem to be on their way back to normal! The students seem to be happier being in a classroom setting instead of having to do school virtually. I know I like being in class and being able to see the kids instead of watching or talking to them through video or email.
•Compared to this time last year, with having to deal with the midst of the pandemic, how has the start of this year been? Is it easier, about what you expected, harder?
I moved from a set up that was geared towards virtual learning with our online curriculum to having to prepare lesson plans and paperwork for classes. It was stressful at first, just making sure I was meeting my educational standards for my subjects and making sure I was prepared for the next day. I knew that teachers had a lot of prep time in getting daily, weekly and monthly plans put together. It has become routine now and I am able to adapt on the fly!
•What are some things you are looking forward to for this school year?
I am looking forward to getting back to normal! The last year and a half has been some of the most craziest times in my life! I am ready to see where things go from here. I feel like we are on the right track.
•What was it that made you want to become a teacher?
At first I wanted to be a mechanic like my Dad. I had it all laid out growing up. I was going to go to tech school and learn to work on tractors. That plan changed around junior year and I decided that it was time to look into something else. Teaching kind of runs in my family. My mom is a teacher. My great grandfather was a teacher. Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs. That instant when you are going over something with a student, and it finally clicks and they have that ah-ha moment! That, to me, is what makes teaching great! Being a teacher puts you in a position where you can make a positive impact on a student. Our students come from all walks of life and sometimes they just need a person that they can count on outside of their surroundings and just someone they can talk to.
•What subject do you teach and why that specific one?
I teach history and economics. Mainly because that’s what I went to college for and that’s what I am certified in. I had an interest in history early on in my life. Having a written record of things that happened in the past, being able to see how they were able to overcome, and how they were able to change always fascinates me! A lot of times, history repeats itself, and it’s neat to see how people changed each time around.
•What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my job is interacting with the students and trying my best to make a difference in their lives. I want to be that teacher that never gives up on a student. I want to be able to look back and say I did my best to give the students the knowledge and understanding to help them advance their education. I love coaching! I help Coach Taylor with JH and HS soccer. I have a passion for sports and being able to be around the student athletes and being able to guide them and see them learn to communicate and work together is also my favorite!
•What motivates you?
Seeing the students succeed is one of the biggest motivating factors for me. The look on their faces when they get back a test that they thought they bombed. Also, some of the kids that share their stories about what is going on in their lives with me. We have some outstanding students in our system and each one has a different story. Talking to some of them makes me want to come in and do my best to help them achieve their goals!
•What have been some notable moments during your time teaching thus far?
My first year teaching was a roller coaster.! Up and Down. Up and Down. I felt like I experienced everything that could go bad for an entire career my first year in. We experienced growing pains. We experienced heartache and loss. Then it all came to a head when the pandemic hit and we didn’t return to the classroom after Spring Break. I really felt defeated after my first year. But, I am lucky. I have an awesome support system. My wife, my family, and my colleagues. We have amazing staff here at Cordell Schools. I relied on some of them. They were here to offer advice anytime I had questions or when situations arose. One of the best things that has happened so far in my short career is seeing some of my students that I had in my very first year here that could have thrown in the towel at any time, walk across the stage and receive their diploma.
•When you’re not teaching, how do you like to spend your spare time?
I like to spend time with my family and friends when I’m not too busy with school. I help with my daughters recreational softball and basketball teams. On Friday nights, I am usually in the press box calling football games. During the winter months, I’m at the gym calling basketball games. During spring, we have soccer! When we are out of school, you can usually find me at Cordell Tv and Appliance! I am also a councilman on the Cordell City Council.