Growing up, senior Alexsa Alvarado always remembers assuming teachers didn’t leave the school building after school let out. There was a cafeteria for them to eat in and restrooms for them to use. Never at that age did Alvarado worry about where they must’ve showered. As she grew, Alvarado realized teachers didn’t live at the school. This continuing series features the truth of what life is like for teachers after the bell. 

Sitting in class, LHS students have probably heard the clicking of Grace Scott’s heels as she walks down the hallways. What they probably don’t know is that she is on her way to changing the lives of those around her without even noticing. 

“Scott’s new job description focuses on curriculum, instruction, assessments and the overall assisting of fellow faculty in improving their knowledge in teaching,” Dr. Christy Diehl, vice-principal, said. 

Previously an English teacher, Scott is taking the reins on three tasks at once: serving as an instructional coach, being the liaison between LHS and Indiana University of Kokomo for their Tomorrow’s Teachers program, and helping with professional learning for the faculty. 

“She’s got her hands full, but she’s done an excellent job shaping instructional support here between us as staff,” Diehl said. 

With this new change of job description, Scott’s school schedule is a little different than most teachers. Scott doesn’t have six classes to teach like before. Instead, she is more behind the scenes, doing the work that not everyone sees. Before school, she often meets with Dr. Diehl to help plan activities and future meetings for professional development to help the staff here at LHS grow and develop. 

“I keep her busy for sure,” Diehl said. “She is always meeting with teachers and working to be continuous support for fellow staff members.”

Although she is a help at the school, Scott is needed elsewhere as well, not just at LHS.

“I would definitely say I am in my ‘Mom Taxi Era,’” Scott said. “I mean, I do have two three-sport athletes.” 

Scott’s children, Keaton and Quinn, are involved in many activities, being in only sixth and third grade. Both of her children, on top of their three sports, take piano lessons, show animals in 4-H, and Keaton is in band. 

“During all of this, I also try to find some time to do laundry,” Scott said. 

This causes Scott’s after-school schedule to be all over the place, constantly running to take kids to and from practices and performances. Not only is she on top of her children’s practices and performances, but she is also on top of her own. 

“A lot of these nights, I will also have worship team practice at my church,” Scott said. “I am very involved there. Or some nights I am running to Marion to rehearse with my band.”

This doesn’t count Scott’s band gigs with The Grace Scott Band. She may end up at Bonus Pints here in town or all the way in Lafayette. 

Weekends are a whole other story, running from church to one or even both of the kids’ ball games. She is one busy gal, but she doesn’t do it alone.

“I’m kinda all over the place, and it really just depends on the night, but I have tried to establish a rhythm somewhat to carve some personal time for myself,” Scott said. “This might mean waking up early, getting in some personal meditation, and exercising. My husband, Wes, has always been such an amazing support system too, I couldn’t do all of this without him.”

Scott is not only a musician, mother, teacher and wife. She is an animal herder as well. 

“Once school gets out for the summer, we are really out in the barn all day long with the cows,” Scott said. “We get out there and feed them. Then, we start rinsing them and training their hair again. Then, at night, we’ll go back out again, and typically, when things cool down, we’ll take them for a long walk. We live down a quarter-mile lane, so we’ll walk them to the road and back.”

Often, her evenings look different, but in no way would Scott ever change the way things are. 

“Music fills my soul,” Scott said. “It’s honestly music therapy. Whatever emotion, stress, really anything that we have been dealing with, you can just pour out all of that emotion into your music. It is great having this creative outlet. It is very stressful juggling all of it but it is worth it.”