Have you noticed how much bigger your classes are this year compared to last year? According to Benjamin Smith the principal of Utah Military Academy, the number of students enrolled has increased by thirteen percent compared to previous years. While this increase is welcomed, there are also certain setbacks and downsides due to many
different circumstances.
Due to the lack of teachers in certain grades and curriculums, there are teachers assigned to teaching classes sometimes even twice the size of classes they taught in years prior. Some teachers have been overwhelmed with the number of students that were enrolled in their classes.
The Art Department is the best example of this. Mrs. Carter is UMA’s only art teacher. She’s in charge of teaching nine classes in total throughout the year. Because of the increase in enrollment, she is teaching her lesson, while also planning lessons and grading assignments. According to Mrs. Carter, it takes up to an additional fifteen to twenty hours a week, taking away free time that she could’ve had if there weren’t as many students this year. Art supplies are also a big factor in the downside of having more students. Her classes consume more art supplies putting a strain on her classroom budget. Also the time spent to order and secure more art supplies is problematic for Mrs. Carter, who wants to keep up with her productive cadets.
Another huge class that has increased with the school is the math class. Ms. Nielson states that classes are too big and are difficult to provide help to individual students with specific needs. She also has the problem with grading taking much more of her time than it did last year.
With team times, Mrs. Nielson shares that she has the same issue as when she’s teaching classes, not being able to help students one on one because there are so many cadets that need help with their assignments. She states she has anxiety and stress when it comes to grading and having to teach a year’s worth of lessons in classes that are every other day.
Behavioral issues are also a big problem with the influx in students. There are more cadets who cause problems and disruptions in class. There are also more kids who would rather socialize with fellow cadets than learn. While the increase in students is welcomed, there are also downsides to the influx of cadets. We can find solutions to these problems by encouraging fellow cadets to behave in class and try to make it easier for the teachers who have had an increase in workload.