MAGNET COVE, Ark — As the first nine weeks of school are rounding out at Magnet Cove High School, learning expectations and classroom objectives have been made clear to students.
One course taught by Dr. Thomy Green is mandatory for all freshmen— the 'Freshman Seminar'.
It tackles everything from basic life skills like stress, budgeting, insurance, taxes, history of the city and school. But most importantly, the course teaches how to be a decent student and person.
“I describe the class to a lot of people as a class that your grandpa might teach. And so I'm just missing a rocking chair and something to whittle," Dr. Green said "It's really just a here's how to navigate life, here's how to make it through life.”
This week, the new high schoolers are learning about stress, a lesson that’s beneficial no matter what age you are.
“Our kids aren't ready for high school and so there are some things that we could do as teachers to be more inclusive and take a more holistic approach to education than just books," he added. "We're going to cover things like studying, taking notes, interpersonal relationships, how to be a good friend. We spent two weeks talking about how to make decisions."
The course has become a favorite for many students, parents, and staff— particularly, the holistic approach of Dr. Green is what makes this neat concept of course worth learning.
“At the beginning, I thought the class was gonna be really hard because it's essay after essay, but now it's actually really fun and quite easy," freshman Chloe Sawyer said.
"He just role models himself how we should act, and how he shows us the compassion that he has for us. He will tell you the truth, and he will... I feel like sometimes we really need that, that, you know, sometimes we are not correct, and sometimes we make mistakes, and that's okay," freshman Tyler Henderson said.
While Dr. Green also serves as the Civics and History teacher, shockingly, this is only his third year of teaching, spending decades pastoring in his community.
“30 years ago, when I was in college, I would have told you that I was going to be a bible vocational pastor and teach social studies in high school. So, I spent most of my ministry in a full-time ministry position," he said. "And now I'm in a different ministry, still a pastor in a church, but it's a different thing.’
He said his new career has been one of the greatest decisions that he’s ever made since he can continue having an impact on shaping the future.
Although there’s no rocking chair at the front of his room, students are welcome to gather around to learn living lessons taught in love.
“I'll try not to get emotional about this, but at my funeral, I hope my students look at my wife and say he cared about me," he said. "It's not about history, it's not about economics, it's not about civics. I hope at the end of the day, they look back and they say that guy cared about me," Green said.