Veteran teacher Samantha Gilmer believes that every student considering pursuing post-secondary education should take a dual-enrollment class.
Gilmer, who has been a teacher since 1999, teaches dual-enrolled precalculus and statistics at Stonewall Jackson High School. She also previously taught quantitative reasoning, precalculus and statistics as an adjunct at the Luray-Page County Center.
“I enjoy the classes, but I especially like the students,” Gilmer said. “They care more about the classes, they’re more positive, they put more effort in and participate more in class discussions.”
Most of her students are juniors and seniors who are thinking about college and their next steps.
“Taking dual enrollment gives them a big advantage in the future,” Gilmer said. “They’re likely not going to have to take these classes once they get to college. Some will only have to go three years, or maybe even two, and just take classes in their major.”
Gilmer’s own daughter earned her associate degree before graduating from Luray High School. This allowed her to double major and take extra classes she was interested in, according to Gilmer, who said her daughter has since graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and is preparing for medical school.
“I think that the dual-enrollment program is such a benefit for the kids,” said Gilmer. “I’m glad that a lot of kids take advantage of it. I think that every kid that has even the thought of possibly going to college should do it.”
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.