Students fighting. Disgusting messes. Failing students. What is a teacher’s “worst nightmare”?

The issue is humorously treated in some older yearbooks as one of the superlatives.  Two trouble-causing students often pose with an especially strict teacher who had the “joy” of dealing with the two in the classroom.

However, when the faculty and administrators at Hammonton High School were asked about their “worst nightmares,” their responses took on a more serious tone.

“My worst nightmare would be students would feel excluded, harassed or afraid to come to school. I want to be able to help,” said vice principal Dr. Kim Rudnesky.  Rudnesky remembers the times she dealt with a lot of high risk students, and it makes her happy to see struggling kids turn around and improve and be successful.

Athletic secretary Mrs. Sandy Moretti’s worst nightmare is students getting hurt.

“My worst nightmare would be students being reckless;  kids speeding in cars [especially] worries me,” she said. “I have made a lot of friends with students and the great group of kids here over my career.”

School nurse Mrs. Christine Haines’ worst nightmare would be if a student has an allergic reaction.

“If I wasn’t able to get to a student that needed an Epi pen, and I wouldn’t be able to get to them,” she said.  Haines enjoys getting to help students every day and strives to do all she can to assist them as needed. She’s thankful that a lot of the students and their parents appreciate what she does and they tell her how much they do.