These Teachers Change the World

During the course of my education I have had three teachers who have one thing in common. These teachers have a desire to know what their students are thinking and how they plan to succeed. I thrive in a class where my opinion matters, and it is ok to speak up to let my voice be heard. These three teachers wanted to know our thoughts, dreams, and ideas whatever we had to say they wanted to hear it. Knowing that someone else cares about your education just as much as you do can change your out look in a course. I felt empowered walking out of their classrooms I knew that I could do anything. The entire class took part in our own learning environment and I noticed that my fellow classmates started to succeed as well. These three teachers changed my life just by caring and wanting me to do my best.

Mr. Barchie was my 8th grade history teacher he knew everything you needed to know about history. Everyday he would have everyone who walked in the room say one thing that was going on in the world that very moment. He said that if we heard any type of news before his we would discuss the event. When it was time to discuss homework he would ask us what were our personal opinions about the work we did and saying “I don’t know,” or “it was ok I guess” did not cut it. Sometimes if we had a lot of work someone would say “It was to long” or “it was a waist of time.” Mr. Barchie would smile and ask a question referring to last nights homework everyone in the class would raise their hands and he would say “I give you the work so you can never say you weren’t armed with more knowledge.” Some of the kids in my class were failing, and he would stay late into the night to help them study and grasp the concepts. He would even eat lunch with his students and ask us about everyday things, he wanted to know what we liked. Mr. Barchie would only yell if you gave up, that was the only thing he could not stand.

I had always heard that Mr. Rader was an easygoing teacher, he didn’t stay on topic, he liked to talk about his days in Vietnam, and how he used to be a lawyer. So I expected to have an easy “A” walking into his classroom. By the end of the first week I had already taken a quiz and was expecting a test that following Wednesday. Mr. Rader was defiantly not easy, and what he said went there were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. After a lecture Mr. Rader would ask if everyone understood the material that we had just learned, and he would look at every single student in the eyes to make sure that we got it. One day after one of Mr. Rader lectures he said in a booming voice “so D.J did you understand what the hell I just said,” I had never been so scared before my legs were trembling. So softly I said “No Mr. Rader not really” and then he yells “well D.J what in the heck are you doing looking at me and not understanding what I say?” The only thing I could muster was a shrug, thank God the bell rang so I was packing up then this voice behind me says “Ms. Jones you will not pass this class if you don’t ask for help, so I suggest you get that little hand up there when you don’t get what I’m saying.” I have had teachers who tell you its ok to ask questions, but sometimes they really don’t seem sincere The way Mr. Rader looked at me I knew he meant business and me education was a big deal to him. So from then on I had my hand up constantly asking him questions then other kids in the class started doing the same thing. During finals Mr. Rader did something that I will never forget he gave out his home phone number and told us to call whenever we like. That was the first time a teacher became more then a teacher he became a friend.

My junior year of high school was hard, my classes had more weight and I had to do well. I knew a lot