Features

History department sets squad goals for friend groups everywhere

Chase Deist, Brennan Guilds, and Karyn Chambers|February 9, 2016

The social studies department sets squad goals in a selfie.

Finding a squad in school isn’t hard. All you need is to have common interests, be friends, or maybe have a groupchat to spice things up. But there’s one squad in school that’s hard to get in.

Unless you have a history degree and teach here at Watkins Mill.

The social studies teachers or “history squad” is seen as one of the most prominent friend groups throughout the school, even among students. They often visit each other’s houses and go out to eat, but occasionally they will do something bigger… like attend one another’s weddings.

“I see at least see half of the department every weekend,” government and law teacher Michelle Pettit said. While this is something normal for teenage squads, it can be jarring to hear about teachers having lives and friends outside of school as well.

Social studies teachers Sandy Young, Michelle Pettit and Lauren Squier proving that teachers actually do hang out together outside of school.

Just like your squad, the history squad is there for each other wherever and whenever. “We will step in and help anybody at any other time, there’s [always] someone in here that can pick you up,” US history teacher Lauren Squier said.

“They’re my family,” Pettit said, “they come to the rescue… anytime I get hurt or have a bad day, these are the people that pick me back up.”

The group seems to be a normal squad, but have shared one moment that most squads dream of sharing: a wedding. Squier got married on August 7, 2014 and invited some of the history squad to share the moment. “I was overwhelmed with happiness,” Squier said.

Social studies teachers Sandy Young, Adam Schwartz, Lauren Squier and Michelle Pettit at Squier's wedding last year. — Social studies teachers Sandy Young, Adam Schwartz, Lauren Squier and Michelle Pettit at Squier’s wedding last year.

Anyone in the social studies department can be part of the group. “I’m friends with everybody,” U.S. history and AP government teacher Michael Celenza said. “I introduced myself by name, then they let me hang out with them.”

However being a social studies teacher isn’t the only thing that this group has in common, “They can look through everyone’s flaws and come together for a common interest in educating their students,” government and psychology teacher Ken Heckert said.

When it comes down to it, being in a squad is all about accepting one another no matter what. And the history squad leads by example, setting squad goals for everyone at Watkins Mill.