Walking in Their Shoes: Inside the Student Experience

What happens when district leaders spend a day walking in students’ shoes? In this episode of Talking the WCASD Way, Dr. Reynolds and Dr. Jimmy Conley reconnect with two students they shadowed last year, one now navigating high school, the other preparing to graduate. Together, they talk about what motivates them, what really matters in their day-to-day experiences, and what they wish adults better understood about school life.

Transcript

KALIA REYNOLDS:
You’re listening to Talking the WCASD Way — the podcast where we share stories, updates, and voices from the West Chester Area School District community. I’m your host, Dr. Kalia Reynolds. Let’s get talking.

Welcome to Talking the WCASD Way, where we share our stories, elevate voices, and highlight what makes our district community thrive.

In this episode, we’re talking about Shadow a Student Day — a chance for our district leaders to walk in the shoes of our students and experience the school day from their point of view.

We’ll hear from two high school students, Nevaeh and Torri, who participated last year, along with Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jimmy Conley, who spent the day seeing through the eyes of a student. Together, we’ll explore what students want adults to know about learning, connection, and the overall school experience.

Let’s jump in.

KALIA:
Both of you were part of Shadow a Student Day, where educators followed your schedule to see school life up close. What was it like having someone experience your day alongside you? What moments stood out the most?

NEVAEH:
When I first heard I was getting shadowed, I didn’t really know what that meant. I was like, Wait, why am I being picked for this? Then when Dr. Conley came in, everyone was like, Who’s that? Why is he following you?

But it wasn’t awkward — he was funny, and it was actually really fun having him walk around with me. He experienced everything I do every day — going to each class, rushing to be on time, eating lunch with my friends — just seeing what it’s like to be a student.

KALIA:
That’s great, Nevaeh. How about you, Torri?

TORRI:
Yeah, people were definitely wondering why this lady was following me around! But I liked it. I knew what it was about because my teachers had told me, and I was excited to have an adult see what I do every day. It was a really good experience.

KALIA:

Dr. Conley, how was it for you?

DR. CONLEY:
It was so much fun. Meeting Nevaeh and her friends gave me a real look at what a day in the life of a student is like. As a former teacher and principal, I miss that daily connection with students. Being new to the district, this experience helped me see not just Nevaeh’s perspective, but also what her teachers experience every day. It was an incredible opportunity.

KALIA:
That’s huge. And I have to say, kudos to both of you — Torri and Nevaeh — for being selected. It speaks to your energy and presence as students. What I saw from you, Torri, was real leadership and positivity.

So let’s talk a little bit about what you wish adults knew. The purpose of Shadow a Student Day is for district and school leaders to gain insight — to make sure schools are the best possible places for learning.

What do you wish adults understood better about being a student?

TORRI:
Something I wish adults knew is that even though school isn’t hard in the sense of the work, it can be really hard to focus — especially in a big class where the teacher has so many people to help. You’re not always getting that one-on-one time you need.

It would be nice if there were more teachers or assistants in the room to help students who need extra support. Teachers have so much to balance, and it’s a lot for one person.

NEVAEH:
I agree. With only about 40 minutes per class, you’re learning — but not always as much as you could. Everyone learns differently. Some people need to see it written out, some need to hear it explained, some need to do it hands-on.

It’s hard to teach a big group with all those learning styles and still make sure everyone gets what they need in that short time.

KALIA:
That’s a really powerful insight — not just for teachers, but for leaders thinking about how classrooms are structured.

KALIA:
What else do you want adults to know about the student experience?

KALIA:
For me, one of the surprising things was how long the day feels. I found myself getting hungry and thinking, When’s snack time? (laughs) As adults, we can take breaks whenever we need — but students can’t.

TORRI:
Yes! The day feels really long. I’m always tired at the end of it. And waiting to use the bathroom is tough, too. If someone’s already out, you have to wait until they come back — sometimes the period’s almost over, and then you can’t go until your next class. Some teachers say, “You should have gone before,” but it’s not always that easy.

KALIA:
That’s such an honest perspective — the small things that impact how students experience their day.

KALIA:
Let’s talk about how your school experience is preparing you for life. One of the district’s big focus areas is our Portrait of a Graduate — defining the skills and competencies students need for success beyond high school.

Nevaeh, as a senior, what do you think school should prepare you for?

NEVAEH:
I think we need to be more prepared for life — like real-world things that could happen. We learn a lot about history or old events, and that’s fine, but I wish we talked more about what comes next.

How to handle money, live on your own, what to do if something unexpected happens — we need that kind of preparation. Because we won’t have teachers or parents with us 24/7 once we graduate.

KALIA:
That’s such an important point — being future-focused and building independence.

Torri, how about you? You’re moving from middle school to high school. What’s something you’d tell other students making that transition?

TORRI:
I’d tell them to really stay focused on their grades — especially if they’re playing sports. You don’t want to be ineligible and not able to play.

And make sure you surround yourself with the right people. If you get into a friend group that’s full of drama, that’s going to affect you too. You want to hang with people who help you stay focused and positive.

KALIA:
That’s great advice — both for students and adults to remember.

Dr. Conley, as someone who’s helping lead district priorities around things like high school schedules and the Portrait of a Graduate, what are some takeaways from Shadow a Student Day that will carry into your work?

DR. CONLEY:
Well, I’m wearing my East High School gear today because I truly felt a sense of belonging there. I didn’t know anyone walking in, and Nevaeh and her classmates made me feel completely welcome.

From class to class — physics, PE (by the way, my basketball team won!), Spanish, English — I really felt the rhythm of the day. It gave me a student’s perspective I wouldn’t otherwise get.

It also reinforced how important student voice is. Across our middle and high schools, we’re building Principal Advisory Councils where students share feedback directly. I just met with one at Stetson the other day — it’s powerful hearing from students themselves.

And as we continue to look at the high school and middle school schedules, that student perspective is crucial. After all, the schedule is for students, not for adults.

KALIA:
Absolutely. Those themes — belonging, student voice, and experience — are what ground our work.

Nevaeh, Torri, Dr. Conley — thank you all so much for sharing your insights and allowing us to walk in your shoes. Your perspective helps us make schools better places for every student.

Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you next time.

OUTRO:
Thanks so much for listening to Talking the WCASD Way.
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