Brooke High School's observance of American Education Week offered an opportunity for teachers, students and parents to switch places and for several area professionals to share life lessons with the school's teens.

Classes were visited Wednesday by Follansbee accountants Michael DiDomenico and Deborah Puskarich, Tom Miller, banking center manager for WesBanco and a former radio and television announcer; and Weirton attorney Michael Simon.

DiDomenico encouraged students in Jane Utz' business law class to seek out individuals in fields in which they are interested.

"If you want to get somewhere, ask somebody who's been there," he advised.

DiDomenico also encouraged them to work hard in all of their courses. He made the mistake of striving for As only in the courses in his major, he said, and learned that potential employers consider an applicant's overall academic record.

"They need to know you have the ability to learn because they know some training will be required if you're hired," DiDomenico said.

DiDomenico said his decision to become a certified public accountant and a self-employed one helped to change his future.

He noted that many dream of going into business for themselves but don't realize the work and responsibilities involved.

While he has had the freedom to leave his office early for an afternoon of golf, he also has worked through the night on many occasions to meet the needs of his clients, he said.

Utz told DiDomenico the class has been discussing the role that ethics plays in the business world.

DiDomenico said most clients want to save on the amount of taxes they pay, and "there's a fine line between saving and cheating."

"When there's a question of right and wrong and making a little money or not, I would advise you to go down the path of what's right," he said, adding a professional's integrity depends on the long-term satisfaction of his customers.

The son of a painter, DiDomenico said he learned it doesn't pay to use cheap paint or put less effort into scraping off the old because the inferior materials and labor will ultimately show.

"No matter what business you're in, you could cut corners. But what's going to happen in a couple of years? Your poor quality's going to show," he said.

Toni Shute, head principal of Brooke High School, said the Guest Teacher Day was one of several activities planned for American Education Week.

She said on Monday the school revived a student-parent exchange, a tradition that had been part of the school's Pride Week for many years. On that day, many parents agree to attend school in place of their children, who get the day off.

Shute said about 200 parents participated and were surveyed about their experiences at the day's end. Many said they were impressed by the new technology used in classrooms, and at least one said she became bored during one of the day's 90-minute class periods.

Shute has formed a committee to revisit the school's block schedule and ways to address the need for more setup and instructional time for labs and other hands-on activities that had led to the implementation of the schedule more than 10 years ago.

She said an open house Monday at the school was attended by 325, and many students are looking forward to switching with teachers and administrators on Friday.

Shute said Jake Lilly, president of the school's student government, will be sitting in her chair.

"I'm planning to leave a lot of work for him, but I'm sure he'll do fine," she said.