As Walter Johnson celebrates its 70th anniversary, its classrooms and hallways reflect decades of change, growth and tradition. Schedules, technology and student resources have evolved, but the sense of community has remained constant. For some teachers, WJ is not just a workplace but also a place where they once spent their own teenage years, as they once attended WJ. These teachers have a unique perspective on how the school has evolved throughout the years.

For Chase Rieder, class of 2009 graduate now a Human Behavior teacher and a head coach for both boys basketball and boys tennis, the overall structure of the school day feels familiar even years later. When he was a student, WJ still had a seven-period schedule, though one part of the day looked different.

“Our lunch was not an hour long. I think it was like 42 minutes, so it was a rush to get food and come back,” Rieder said. 

One memory that continues to stand out to him comes from his senior year, when seniors shared a hallway and often ate lunch together.

“We had a senior hallway where all the seniors would kind of eat lunch together and just be together and socialize,” Rieder said. “Back then, we weren’t just on our phones all day long.”

As a student, Rieder played on the varsity boys basketball team, and despite the school size, he felt students were closely connected.

“It was very welcoming and warm,” Rieder said. “Even though it was a big school, everybody knew each other and could relate to each other.” 

As a teacher, Rieder has noticed changes in how WJ supports students. While the longer lunch period stands out to him, he also appreciates the additional resources now available to students.

“The resources that WJ offers now, like study circles and Bridge to Wellness, we didn’t have a lot of those back in the day, so I think that’s neat,” Rieder said.

Rieder credits several former teachers with influencing his decision to pursue a career in education who he stayed in touch with long after graduating.  

“Having that close bond with them and seeing how they were as teachers definitely inspired me to become a teacher,” Rieder said. 

Math teacher Laura Brager, class of 2009 graduate also remembers a tightly structured school day, with classes running from early morning through the afternoon and lunch beginning before noon. While much about the schedule has changed, some memories remain especially clear.

“Pennies for Patients really stands out to me. Everyone got really into that fundraiser, and all of the events for it were so much fun,” Brager said. 

Brager recalls several teachers who made a lasting impression on her, including Mr. Laukaitis, Mr. Williams and Mr. Churchwell, who unexpectedly helped her form new friendships. 

“My senior year Human Geography class stands out because I didn’t have any friends in that class at first, but I ended up meeting all of these really awesome people,” Brager said.

Although she was not heavily involved in school clubs, Brager participated in several honor societies and remembers WJ as a place where many students felt engaged and motivated. 

“People were super involved and actually liked being at school,” Brager said. “I know I was fortunate to feel that way, and I know it wasn’t like that for everyone.” 

History teacher Jeremy Butler, class of 1999 graduate remembers his time at WJ as being defined by friendships and athletics just as much as by academics. 

“Getting to school with about 30 seconds to spare in the morning, I enjoyed most of my classes but found a little more enjoyment in the friends and sports,” Butler said.

Some of Butler’s strongest memories come from his senior year, including teachers who are still part of the WJ community today.

“My senior year, our football team had a great season, and I battled in a student versus staff basketball game with Leonard Harris, who is still here and makes everyone’s day,” Butler said.

As a teacher now, Butler sees cell phones as the biggest change at WJ, acknowledging both their usefulness and their impact on student life.

“They are such a distraction from education, socializing, even just being alone with your own thoughts, and it is hard to compete with as a teacher,” Butler said. 

Even though there have been major changes in technology and resources, Butler believes many core traditions at WJ have remained the same, including school spirit and community support, which have played a major role in shaping who he is today, both personally and professionally. 

“My best friends to this day are from high school. I feel fortunate to have grown up in such a supportive and educated community,” Butler said. 

As WJ marks 70 years, the reflections of teachers who once sat in its classrooms highlight how the school continues to evolve while holding onto its core values. While schedules, technology, and student life may look different today, the sense of connection and community remains constant across generations.