Chances are, you've mainly heard negative things about Green Hill School this year. But that's not the whole story, say teachers like Jarmon. The controversies surrounding the facility do not involve any of the Chehalis School District employees who work there every day. In a closed off facility, where even cell phones are off limits, it's hard to show the good of a place like Green Hill School. But it's there, Jarmon said.

"If you look hard enough, you're always going to be able to find something bad," Jarmon said. "I think there's a lot more going right there. We have outstanding secretaries, support staff and employees who really work together for these students."

Established in 1889, Green Hill School is one of only two such facilities in Washington state. The 173-bed, medium/maximum security detention facility for young men ages 17-25 is owned by the State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF). From the day it was founded, the facility's name has always been Green Hill School, pointing toward the intent of the partnership with the Chehalis School District to offer education to its residents.

Originally from Southwest Atlanta, GA., Jarmon did not initially set out to be a teacher. While studying at Saint Louis University he earned pilot and flight instructor certificates. After graduating, he joined the Marine Corps and was discharged due to injury. He continued with his love of aviation as a university flight instructor, commercial airline pilot, instructor pilot for international flight candidates, and other aviation jobs that took him all over the world. Flying is still a hobby and job for Jarmon. He often spends his weekends, especially during the summer, flying for fun.

Later, while in the Army, Jarmon began teaching at Green River College on weekends and decided that education could be his next career. He earned his Master's in Teaching from St. Martin's University. His first full-time classroom teaching job outside aviation was at the Western State Hospital psychiatric facility.

Two years ago, Jarmon was drawn to an opening for a teacher at Green Hill School. He said the idea of teaching at a detention facility did not intimidate him and he admits that he was a kid who could have used more teachers like himself.

"I like being able to make up your curriculum to meet the students where they are," Jarmon said.

Though the student population at Green Hill tends to fluctuate during the year, Jarmon estimates at any one time he has about 50 students. The least amount of time a student might spend there is two weeks, while others can be there for years. Not knowing how long he might be able to teach a single student or what that student's background in education could be is something that shapes the way Jarmon teaches his students.

"Everybody is in different places. They all come in with individual talents and challenges and needs," Jarmon said. "My goal is to maximize the use of the time we have together."

Not everyone at Green Hill School takes advantage of the opportunity to learn. But for Jarmon, the part that makes his job worthwhile is watching the trajectory change for those who do. Getting to watch a student, especially one who had a lot of factors stacked against them, complete their credits and graduate is one of his favorite parts of the job.

"Out of so many wrong choices, to see them succeed and to know that could lead to better things for them, that's a good feeling," Jarmon said.