Social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson teaches a lesson in his Advanced Placement Macroeconomics class. Hinson has been a teacher at Clarke Central High School for 15 years. “I wanted to be a teacher when I was in college and I took my first History class (and said), ‘I know exactly what I want to do,’” Hinson said. Photo by Zoe Peterson
Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson, who will retire at the end of this school year, brings a South Georgia charm to the CCHS community through storytelling.
“I was giving a test one time in US History and I remember it was over the turn of the century, the early 19th Century going into War of 1812, and kids are sitting there taking a test …”
Almost everyone who meets him has a story to tell about Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Stephen Hinson. After arriving at CCHS 15 years ago, he has left a legacy of lightheartedness in the CCHS community.
“I tell jokes. Man, I tell jokes, a lot of jokes. I think I’m the funniest human being in the world, on the planet,” Hinson said. “I’m just kidding.”
Social studies department teacher Drew Wheeler has worked alongside Hinson since he arrived at CCHS and has noticed Hinson’s carefree personality.
“It’s always good to lighten the mood if everyone’s being really serious. He has this story to tell of something that’s happened to him in the past that’s similar to (what’s) happening now that’ll bring a smile to his face and get people loosened up if everyone’s a little too tense, a little too stressed out,” Wheeler said.
“This kid raised his hand and he said, ‘Can I ask you a question?’ and I said, ‘Sure’ and he said, ‘It’s not related to the test.’ I said, ‘Go ahead and ask me.’”
Hinson has lived a life nothing short of story-worthy. Growing up in Thomasville, Georgia, located in the southern part of the state, he attended Valdosta State College (now University). In 1988, he graduated with degrees in History and Broadcasting, then moved back home to work on his family’s farm before getting a job at Southwestern State Hospital.
In 1992, he moved to Athens to begin work at the Athens Regional Youth Detention Center.
“I never thought I could ever help a kid who was in the prison system unless I had a good, positive relationship with him,” Hinson said. “I only worked with boys and so I learned how to develop a positive relationship with some of the more hardened kids you could ever meet.”
Hinson believes his time in the prison education system taught him how to befriend almost any kid he meets.
“(Working at the YDC) was fun. Looking back, it was probably not the healthiest job in the world because it was rough. I had to get physical daily,” Hinson said. “My coworkers were awesome and I loved working with them so much and we had such a good time working. I think that good time, that relationship translated to the kids and it, I think, made life for them a little easier.”
Hinson continued working to make life easier for his current students by translating this lively, stress-free attitude into his classroom.
“I like to create an environment that kids like to be in. I don’t ever want them to dread coming to my class,” Hinson said. “I try to build relationships and develop this reciprocal caring. The kids know I care about them and I feel that they care about me and it works. It creates an incredible environment.”
“He said, ‘What happened to all those folks who died before Jesus came along?’ and I was like, ‘What is he asking me? Really? You’re taking a test.’”
For 2016 CCHS graduate Magda Striepen, who took Hinson’s Psychology and Advanced Placement Macroeconomic classes during the 2015-16 school year, Hinson differs from her previous teachers.
“He (taught) us and then he (would) randomly add stories,” Striepen said. “He (was) more lighthearted than most of my teachers and mixing the having fun, but also being serious and I think that stands out compared to a lot of teachers.”
Hinson says he creates this environment through his method of sharing personal anecdotes.
“One thing about teaching (economics), you can relate it to virtually everything. So, the examples I bring in, they might remind me of something. I just stop, ‘Y’all, listen to this, one time …’ and I’ll just tell some story and it keeps it light and funny,” Hinson said. “They’re real experiences. You take things that people don’t usually think about, like the expression of other people when something happens. Take certain aspects people normally wouldn’t accentuate and really accentuate those.”
“I didn’t know how to answer it and I said, ‘Well, I didn’t study religion or theology, but maybe they got a pass if they were a good person.’ ‘I hope so.’ I said, ‘Alright, guys get back to work.’”
As a self-proclaimed storyteller, Hinson finds himself constantly on the lookout for the next tale.
“One thing I like to do is listen to conversations, you can’t help but hear conversations going on in the hall, (they’re) some of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. You hear them totally out of context, you don’t really hear what they’re talking about then you hear this phrase that’s just like, ‘What?’,” Hinson said. “Literally every day there seems to be something.”
As the head tennis coach, Hinson also brings his stories to the court.
“I want it to be fun, Number One. And Number Two, there’s no room for me to add any stress to (the players) while (they are) playing,” Hinson said. “I think the worst thing a coach can do is take a player in a really stressful match and literally put more stress onto the person.”
2017 CCHS graduate Denise Sunta recalls moments when Hinson’s storytelling has eased stress.
“During matches, usually after every other game, players have a chance to go over strategies with their coaches,” Sunta said. “However, Hinson doesn’t just talk about strategy during these brief breaks. He’ll always try and lift your spirits by cracking a joke or something.”
“They’re working and this girl raised her hand, ‘Can I ask you something?’ I say, ‘Is it related to the test?’ and she goes, ‘No, it’s sort of related to what he said, what he asked you.’ I thought, ‘Oh Boy,’ I said ‘Sure.’ Kids just kind of put their pencils down, they were real interested. She goes, ‘Is Hell hot or cold?’”
Sunta is a four-year starter and values the unique sense of humor Hinson brings to the game.
“I do think his coaching will leave a lasting impression on me. Before I joined the team, I never really saw tennis as being something that I would have fun with,” Sunta said. “But now that I’ve spent (four) great seasons with him and the rest of the team. I have found a new love for the sport, even if I’m not the best at it.”
“I said, ‘I’m not sure, why do you ask?’ and she says, ‘Because you’ll hear people say, ‘Man, it’s hot as Hell outside,’ or they’ll say, ‘It’s cold as Hell outside,’ so which one is it?’ And I came up with what I thought was a brilliant answer…”
After spending over a decade at CCHS, Hinson feels he has a strong connection to both his players and his students.
“(My students) are a major segment of my life. I couldn’t live without my students. I would feel like there is just a major void in my life if I didn’t have the relationship I have with a lot of my students, especially my players,” Hinson said.
Sunta feels that Hinson’s personality assists in forging relationships with his players.
“Every one of his players has a unique relationship with him,” Sunta said. “His humor and his optimism make the sport much more enjoyable. He’s one of those people who could literally say anything and it would be hilarious.”
According to Wheeler, Hinson has become a memorable presence in the CCHS community.
“He knows and talks to almost everyone and almost everyone has some sort of knowledge of him,” Wheeler said. “Because of the nature of his storytelling, everyone feels like they know him and he’s a friend.”
“I said, ‘Well, I think if you dislike hot weather Hell’s going to be hot and if you really dislike cold weather it’s going to be cold.’ And they were just like, ‘That makes total sense’ I said ‘Alright, guys, let’s focus on your test.’”
Hinson uses his experiences to instill life lessons in his students.
“I try to teach a lot of life skills. A lot of my stories deal with stupid things I did and what I learned from them. They’re funny, but one of the reasons I tell the stories is I want kids to not do that, so that’s where a lot of it comes from,” Hinson said. “I think I have a positive impact on them.”
With thought of retirement looming, Hinson is excited for what retired life may bring.
“I like to write, I’d like to write some stories and that sort of thing,” Hinson said. “Maybe (I will) take my stories and develop them into some kind of crazy adventure.”
“They start taking the test (and) this one guys says, ‘I got a question.’ I say, ‘Related to the test?’ ‘No,’ I say, ‘Shoot, go ahead.’ He said, ‘Where does oil come from?’”
However, no matter where retirement takes him Hinson will never forget his time at CCHS.
“I don’t have kids of my own, so I really enjoy the humor the kids bring and it’s just fun. There’s literally nothing I would rather do than do this job,” Hinson said. “Just the actual teaching is fun trying to impart knowledge. That’s something that I really enjoy doing and the relationship I have with some students, I’ll miss that a lot.”
“I drew dinosaurs on the board, I went through the whole fossilization process and said, ‘We’ll finish this test tomorrow.’ Just a typical day in the life here.”
