Blake Beares joined the Warrior family on Nov. 20 as an administrative assistant in the library.
Previously working in elementary and middle schools for 21 years, Beares came to Susquehannock looking for a new experience.
“I always worked in elementary school and had a little bit of middle school experience,” Beares said. “I was ready for the next experience, which would be high school. I was hesitant to get back in the school setting… I was kind of burnt out. But I love the library setting; I love working with kids. So, I wanted to give… high school a chance.”
Walking into this position, Beares was unsure of what would come from a high school setting; however, he is impressed with what he has seen of the student body and the school so far.
“ It’s just nice that it shows the maturity not only of the students, but also how the school is run,” Beares said. “It gives the students the independence to really thrive, and I do think the students really thrive because they don’t have adults breathing down their throats. I love the atmosphere and the environment the library creates. I feel like it sets a good example for the entire school, and I feel the school really seems to run that way as well.”
Beares has noticed the positive community at Susquehannock. He feels that both the staff and students have made his transition to the school a positive one.
“Everybody has been so nice and so helpful,” Beares said. “Everybody’s very respectful, very friendly and very nice. The student population has definitely exceeded my expectations in a very positive way, that’s for sure.”

Along with having positive interactions with students, Beares finds that having two people working in the library brings benefits to the student experience. One benefit he has seen is having more help available for students.
“They can go to either one of us for the help that they need since we are both qualified to help,” Beares said.
Another benefit Beares identified was having a male voice for some reluctant readers to hear from.
“I also think it is helpful to have a male in here for some of the students that are a little hesitant about picking out books,” Beares said. “They want to be readers, they want to take stuff home…and I can give them suggestions too.”
Overall, Bears feels that Susquehannock has been welcoming and a positive place to work.
“In the 21 years I’ve worked in libraries,” Bears said, “I’ve never been happier than I am working here.”