Randy Combs
The first thing you might notice about Randy Combs is his quiet nature. He’s soft-spoken, likes to reference his favorite TV shows and movies, and he’s a major history buff.
Combs is a seasoned teacher with classes like AP European History, Civics and Economics, and World History under his belt, but his path to teaching was unconventional and inspiring.
Unlike most teachers, Combs didn’t attend college immediately after high school.
“I did not go straight to college out of high school,” said Combs. “I had a four-year gap between high school and college because I just couldn't afford to go to college first.”
During the four-year gap between high school and college, Combs worked hard to save money for college. He had a full-time job and taught Sunday school, which later inspired his passion for teaching young adults. During his four-year gap, however, he faced a challenge: history or his full-time job.
“I got promoted to full-time at the grocery store and I was making pretty good money,” said Combs. “One year turned into four, and then I realized I don't want to do this for the rest of my life.”
Combs always knew his first love was history, which is why he decided to give up his full-time job to pursue a teaching career.
“When I finally did go back to college, I had a plan,” said Combs. “I went in knowing I was going to major in history.”
Inspired by his own AP European History teacher in high school, Combs earned a bachelor's degree in history, secondary education, at Appalachian State University. He started teaching at Watauga High School in 1996 but wasn’t offered a full-time teaching position until two years later.
“They didn't have a full-time position available, so the first two years were halftime,” said Combs. “My first three years of teaching, I taught and worked in the grocery store.”
Juggling teaching high school classes part-time and working at a grocery store, Combs had an unconventional start to his teaching career. Three years after he started teaching, Combs became a full-time history teacher at Watauga High School.
Almost 30 years later, in his favorite class to teach, AP European History, Combs tries to replicate the learning experience he had in college. Preparing students for college is an important part of his teaching philosophy.
“What I like about AP Euro is that it’s treated very much like a college class,” said Combs. “Having sat in upper-level college classes at ASU, where you're sitting is very much like my room. I try to make it feel like that.”
Combs makes a point to make his lectures engaging, especially in his AP European Class. Keeping students engaged with the curriculum is important to Combs.
“I think Mr. Combs is a great teacher,” said senior Jackson Anderson. “My favorite part of his class is probably just the lectures. They're really engaging and super informative.”
Another teaching philosophy that Combs instills in his students is the importance of hard work, perseverance, and finding a little bit of enjoyment in everything you do.
“I want to teach them the importance of working,” said Combs. “You need to work hard and find a way to enjoy the things that you are doing, that's kind of life.”
Aside from being an incredible teacher, Combs is also incredibly humble. When asked if he thought he was a great teacher, Combs had trouble answering, despite the many student testimonials vowing that he was not only a great teacher but an inspiring role model.
“I don’t like to talk about myself,” said Combs. “I would hope that students would think that I'm a good teacher because that means I did my job, but I can't think much beyond that.”
If there’s one thing Combs can talk about, it’s his goal at the end of every year.
“If at the end of the year my students tell me ‘I liked your class,’ that’s what matters the most to me,” said Combs.
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