“Do your best, forget the rest.”
That’s the motto Steven Phillips, freshman Honors and regular Algebra I teacher, is carrying with him into the 2025-2026 school year. He expresses excitement for the new year and all the various changes that come along with it.
“This is the first year where I feel like I’ve developed my five years in, I started my six-year abilities,” he said. “I feel a part of the community. I feel part of everything, and I just feel very calm.”
One of the many changes Phillips is looking forward to is the implementation of the new cell phone policy that strictly bans the use of them in the classroom. He believes that the restriction will lead to the importance of studies being recognized by students and a bigger increase in retaining information. With the current generation growing up in the constantly elevating world of technology, he looks forward to the overall process of the change, even though it will be hard at first for everyone.
“I’m thrilled, because there’s a set precedent that we all have to follow, and it’s going to be good for young adults to have to live up to that,” he said. “Their generation grew up with the phones and tablets, and understanding that’s just something they’re used to, and it’s going to be taken away. So, you know, we’re going to be patient with it and help everybody, but I know the rules are going to be followed on day one. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of impact that can have with helping some kids put a little bit more emphasis on their studies instead of Snapchat.”
Looking into the year as a whole, Phillips expresses lots of gratitude and how things have been very good each year. About to start year 18, he’s learned to stick with who he is and what he does, knowing that when kids understand the standards being taught, they’ll gradually start becoming better students. No matter what day it is or what’s happening in class, every single student admires him for this teaching style and never failing to brighten their days, therefore allowing them to have a better high school experience.
“I’ve been super blessed and things have gone well,” he said. “I’m just lucky to be here. All I have to do is think about my first year teaching, and now I’m about to start my 18th, so not much to change. But if I can be better at just content implementation, making kids get the standard, and then being better math students, I think that’s more my mindset. I can make people laugh, I can make them happy, but I want to be able to make them the best math students they can possibly be. It’s cool to make kids be engaged in math, but are they remembering it? It’s important to make sure I’m helping them remember as much as possible instead of that week, month, or unit.”
It’s no question as to why Phillips has won Teacher of the Year during the 2020-2021 and 2023-2024 school years. From his sense of humor, to helpful teaching style, to impactful lessons, to everyday fun, he’s locked in on bringing that same energy into this year. In addition, he’s always teaching some key advice to ensure the freshman have a memorable four years of high school. His “do your best, forget the rest” mindset has helped every student that walks through his room to stay positive and make the best of the journey, because it, without a doubt, goes by very fast. He emphasized that high school should be four of the greatest years of their lives, but not the greatest years because there’s so much ahead of them, in addition to high school. Students should take advantage of these next four years and get involved in sports, clubs, activities, get a mentor, and people that can help change their life in a positive way, because that’s really what this journey is all about.
“Keep following the lead on why our school was built so well,” he said. “It’s because we have so many students that do it the Charger Way, not in the corny sense, but they know why they’re here. They’re making good decisions, and if the freshmen have all those great upperclassmen leaders to follow, they can fit just right in. It’s when the seniors, juniors, and sophomores change and don’t set that example for them that they will have trouble, and we’re nowhere near that.”
Despite all the various changes, Phillips is ready for this school year, and it’ll be filled with lots of growth, learning, fun, and most importantly, memories. From outstanding teachers, to awesome students, to key lessons, to fun activities, to lifelong friendships, and lots of new additions/construction, he and the rest of Charger Nation is ready to accelerate into new heights and make the 2025-2026 school year one to remember.
