We see brotherhood – that combination of affection and loyalty – come through in many forms: actual biological brothers, best bros, brothers in arms, activism, or social backgrounds. But anyone who’s spent any time in Economics, Psychology, or Afro classes knows that the strongest example is whatever forms the bond between Mr. Clegg and Mr. Simmons.
Usually, if a teacher’s lesson is interrupted, they become understandably upset. But up in the Social Studies hall, when Mr. Clegg or Mr. Simmons are interrupted by their next-door counterpart, their faces glow.
Their tired, teaching faces are replaced with ear-to-ear grins because they know that some smack talk is coming their way. We students smile too, because we also know what’s coming.
“They love to go back and forth to harass each other’s classes,” said Dean Laura Clegg, who is married to Mr. Clegg. “But I think it makes it more fun for the students, and also for them. I think this makes them better at their jobs.”
They are not only bringing fun into their classes, but constantly working to make sure that their classrooms are places where students want to be.
As a student who has spent one semester in each of their classes, I can attest to these comments. Microeconomics and Macroeconomics were classes that I ended up looking forward to, even during a day that felt endless.
This is because it was a guarantee that I would see Mr. Clegg and Mr. Simmons out in the hallway having a conversation together with smiles on their faces. They would both turn and look at me and talk to me about life.
Little do they know that such small, kind gestures make students’ days so much better. This would then be followed by a lesson on the Economy with more passion than I see from any other teacher in the school.
They bring energy, engagement, and even excitement to their classes. Whether it was during the first period while I was still half asleep, or during the sixth period while I was already mentally checked out, it was a guarantee that I would walk out of either of their classes re-energized, awake, and ready to finish the day.
During class, I knew for certain that at some point Mr. Clegg would walk into Mr. Simmons’ room, chuckle, and say something like “looks like you guys are a little behind,” to which Mr. Simmons would laugh and reply with some other banter. The two would keep going until the period was basically over.
Don’t let the competition trick you.
“They are certainly contenders for the strongest bond around here,” Social Studies Department Chair Steve Dunn said.
Twenty years of partnership and having next door classrooms since 2008 has solidified a bond that is seen by not just coworkers, but other students as well.
“They remind me of me and my brothers. They mess with each other, but I can tell they are the closest of friends and love working together,” senior Frankie Catalano said.
Even though the two shockingly don’t spend time together outside of work, they spend countless hours together inside LFHS working on their course curriculum. More specifically, the economics worksheet themes.
Each unit has its own theme, and the two seem to spend a ton of time putting them together, whether it’s about decades or different superheroes.
“They have plenty of inside jokes and passions, but I’ve never seen anyone take the theme on a piece of paper more seriously than those two,” Mrs. Clegg said.
These similar passions only bring them closer together.
“Their likemindedness, very similar and very strange sense of humor, all the time they spend together talking about themes, and all the time they spend together revamping the curriculum just constantly make them closer,” Mrs. Clegg said.
Additionally, Mr. Dunn said they both have “great senses of humor” but they also “respect each other’s commitment to hard work and continuous improvement.” Together, they provide the school with classes that give everyone a time to laugh and let loose, but also an area to embrace great academic growth— a sometimes rare combination found in any high school class.
With the clock on Mr. Clegg’s time teaching here quickly approaching its end, it’s important for students to see what I think is the greatest teacher friendship in action. You’ll find two teachers who are professional and smart, but two teachers who will project their affinity for teaching alongside one another to the students, along with many great laughs, making for an amazing course. They are without a doubt the Woody and Buzz of the school.
When I asked Mrs. Clegg for one or two words she would use to describe the two. She smiled and without hesitation responded, “A teacher bromance!”
