Two years ago, Daviess County High School chemistry and forensics teacher, and Academic Team coach, Ann Koshy saw an idea that a school in Michigan had posted on Twitter. Koshy knew then that she wanted to bring the same idea to life in Owensboro.
After dark Friday evening, Koshy, AP science teacher Stefanie Skimehorn, U.S. history teacher Steve Goodrid, psychology and U.S. government teacher Steve Easley, AP statistics teacher Chuck Hayden and retired biology teacher Rob Hartgrove, split up a list of 49 students’ names who received a score of 5 on their AP exams.
The team then drove throughout Daviess County, tip-toeing through yards and placing congratulatory signs, as the rain came down and fireworks exploded overhead.
The signs read, “You scored a 5 on your AP exam! High 5 — Advanced Placement College Credit. #PantherPride.”
“It’s teachers supporting teachers that have worked so hard, supporting students that have worked so hard,” Skimehorn said. “We need some positive things in our world. We are just trying to grow that positive environment.”
Although 3 is considered a passing grade on an AP exam, these teachers hope these signs and their support will encourage other students to put forth their best effort.
“If you get a 3, you pass,” Skimehorn said. “If you get a 4, you get credit. But the 5 is like the brass ring. [The signs are] just one more reason to do a great job.”
Skimehorn said there were 13 freshmen who earned a score of 5 and that she had many students score 4s that she hoped would see the yard signs and want to earn a 5 next year.
Koshy said there were several students who received scores of 5 on multiple exams, as well as a few families that had multiple children taking exams.
With this being the first year, Skimehorn said this is a true surprise that only this year’s students will be able to experience.
“I hope when their parents wake up and see it [the sign] they will be just thrilled for their kid that someone loved their kid enough to do this for them,” Skimehorn said. “We demanded so much of them — as long as they get up and feel they are loved and appreciated — it’s not something they are expecting and it’s not something they were entitled to. It’s just that they are appreciated and we are proud of them.”
