Wildkats return home to teach

by Kaylah Crabdree, VOW staff • Sep 2, 2025

photo or infographic by Kaylah Crabdree

BACK IN THE CLASSROOM. Cassadra Matlock is in her theater classroom teaching kids where she once was taught. “It feels like a completely different place to me from when I was a kid. I rarely walk into a room and think about it being the same space from when I was in school,” theater teacher Cassandra Matlock said. “BUT every now and then I get a ghost of a memory sneak up on me and I think “ewww””

The school song is still in the back of their minds as they come back to their alma mater to inspire students who stand where they stood long ago. These teachers are true to heart Wildkats who bleed purple and white.

Many Wildkat alumni returned to teach at their alma mater. Former students turned teachers remember the town of Willis so much differently than how it is now. Even the school is in a different place then where it was originally.

“We were at Lynn Lucas back then, this building did not open up until after I left WHS, but most people know that,” world history teacher Michael Robinson said. “Not only has the school grown, the town is so much bigger. I can remember the time when the Willis Supermarket (formally Blairs) was the only grocery store in town, and the only thing on the highway at 1097 were two gas stations on the West side. We were excited when the McDonalds and Jack-in-the-box finally came to town. If you could find video of someone driving from downtown Willis to 45 on 1097, you would be amazed at how empty it was – TJ’s and the laundry mat were about the only thing on the street back then.”

New teachers who went to WHS share special connections with their new co-workers because they used to teach and influence them when they were students.

“Working with staff members who used to be my own teachers has been so amazing,” English teacher Summer Rains said. “I knew I would feel at home coming back to Willis, but the encouragement and support that I’ve received since I returned has been more than I had ever imagined. All the fears I had about being a first year teacher were quickly wiped away by all the friendly faces and supporting mentors I’ve gotten to reconnect with.”

Some teachers choose to come back to help the school and community that helped and encourage them to proceed in their academic career.

“I have a sense of pride about pouring back into the school I came from,” college and career counselor Brittany Wheaton said. “My children also attend the same elementary school I attended many years ago.”

Some kids want to escape the small town vibe that Willis creates right after graduation. But somehow life brings some people right back home to Willis.

“I did escape after graduation,” English teacher Laura Brackin said. “I moved to Florida, then California, then Colorado. I came back to Texas nine years after I left because my mother was sick, and the family wanted to be together. Even then, I didn’t find myself back in Willis until 2020 (34 years after I graduated). I guess you can say I came back to roost after a lifetime of adventure.”

Some graduates leave Willis to only find out that there’s no place like Willis to call home.

“I left Willis and went to Lufkin then Mississippi,” theater teacher Cassandra Matlock said. “I came back because my family was here. I have a strong belief that no matter where you go, YOU are the person who makes the location you are great or not. You could live in paradise and be miserable. I live in the middle of the woods in peace and quiet and it is magical.”

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About the Contributor

Kaylah Crabdree, VOW staff

Kaylah is a sophomore, and this will be her first year on the school’s newspaper and yearbook. This year and the year before she was on the school’s volleyball team. Her favorite snack is goldfish because they’re the snack that smiles back. After school, Kaylah plans to get a degree in journalism. Banned. Cell phones have been locked up and the key has been thrown away by Governor Abbott. Children weep and sorrow at the news of the new House Bill 1481. Cell phones are now outlawed inside the school walls. June 20th, 2025 the House Bill was signed into law and it changed the lives of every student in Texas. “I think the cell phone ban affected my day badly because I can’t have it at lunch, and not all my friends are in my lunch. So what else am I supposed to do besides be on my phone,” sophomore Chloe Medina said. “I do understand why we have the ban but I would like my phone during passing periods and lunch to keep me busy.” Medina is not the only one who had a negative apprehension about the new cell phone policy. Many more students like her have negative impressions from different experiences. “I think the cell phone ban is stupid. You’re punishing everybody for other people using their phones for non-school purposes. I think it shouldn’t be banned because some people want to listen to music because it helps them focus like me,” sophomore Matthew Ward said. “As for lunch, it’s technically our free period so we should at least be able to have our phones out during lunch. I understand why cell phones are banned, but at the same time they shouldn’t be banned for people who didn’t do anything.” Students despise the new policy, while teachers praise it. Teachers believe that it will encourage students to expand social interactions with peers. As well as increase grades and lower distractions. “The house bill that made it illegal for students to have phones in the classroom. From a teacher’s standpoint I think It’s good because the phone has been a deterrent to learning,” chemistry teacher Gary Granger said. “From a student’s perspective it’s bad because they’re mad and want their phones because it’s a part of their lives. However we’re in the business of teaching kids so all in all I think it will be beneficial.” Teachers think they will be able to see a change in their students’ productivity this year. Some students are very doubtful that change will ever occur. “I think the cell phone ban is going to have a negative impact on the school. It’s not really going to cause change because kids still have access to their phone even if it’s supposed to be in their backpacks,” sophomore Georgia Jackson said. “They’re just gonna get upset or mad at the APs when they take their phone.” There are many different perspectives in this argument whether the cell phone ban is effective or not. “I don’t know how productive the cell phone policy has been necessarily. But I know people try to find ways around it. It definitely can be justified in some ways,” sophomore Trinity Dupard said. “I do agree they shouldn’t be in classes. As far as lunch and passing periods go I don’t think it’s very productive because it’s not affecting or hurting anyone at lunch or passing periods.”