Local Update

Mr. Johnson

My Favorite Student

Brett Wilson recently approached me about writing an article for the school newspaper.  “I don’t care what you write!” Brett pleaded.  “Anything!”  He insisted that if I didn’t write it, he would have to.  “We can’t have that”, I mused.

Where does one go with such a request?  Perhaps an article that some students might actually have an interest in reading, was my first thought.  Would they want to read

 

The Student of the Month has been a part of Geyserville for the last ten years now, and I feel as though most people don’t actually know how they are chosen. Each month, one high school and one middle school student is chosen by the faculty.

Nominations are based upon if they’re involved in school, their grades, their personality, and if they appear to be working academically in all their classes. You can even get nominated with bad grades, as long as you are trying, especially if you improve your grades exceptionally. Generally, the staff looks at all these factors, but even if you don’t have one of them, you could still get nominated. If you really want this, all I have to say is try, improve, get involved, and generally be a better person.

During a staff meeting, all the nominations are written on the dry erase board and a vote is taken, first for middle school then high school. After talking to Mrs. Hadden, I found out that many of the decisions are difficult if not impossible. Many times, one teacher will endorse one particular student while another staff member says, no way! It really does depend on student actions and behavior in all classes.

In the end, two are chosen, and the award is given out at the monthly assembly. The winner receives a Student of the Month T-Shirt and certificate, and his/her picture is placed in the announcement case near the office.

At the end of the school year, a qualifying student is then chosen for Student of the Year, with the same process, though you can still be nominated even if you weren’t Student of the Month.

Student’s Of The Month

Brett Wilson

Cassandra Schuman- September

Elizabeth Silva– September

Veronica Hernandez-January

about the impact of the Crusades on current events in the Middle East?  Not likely.  Maybe they’d be interested in the importance of sixth graders learning how to measure any side of a similar triangle?  Definitely not!  Then it came to me.  The question I’ve heard most often throughout the year as been, “Who’s your favorite student?”

To my regret, I am rarely approached with, “I really don’t understand this math problem,” or “Why do they think the Roman Empire fell?”  For some reason, the most pressing issue this year seems to be, “Who is your favorite student?”   While I’m a bit depressed with my students’ preoccupation with this question, it’s become obvious to me that pursuing the answer might actually induce them to read at least one article in the school newspaper.  Hey, I’ll do almost anything to get my students to actually READ.

So here’s the scoop.  I do have favorites.  I recognize them every day, but honestly, picking an overall favorite is complicated.  How is this possible?  Favorite people are not like favorite foods or music.  They are far more complex, as I am to my students.  One day I may be very jovial, and thus well liked, while the next day extremely terse and demanding, and so not well liked.  This is the nature of my profession.  I must demand the best of my students.  Of course, I can be very pleasant when my pupils are focused, but seriously crabby when they are not.  This is often how I am judged.

Allow me to further explain.  There are students (you know who you are) that drive most adults crazy.  I must admit, when I was a middle school student, I exhibited many of the same behaviors as you, and occasionally incurred the disappointment, irritation, and finally, the disciplinary actions from my teachers and administrators.  I was not only spanked by the principal, but was threatened with reform school by the school district!  I sincerely regret the time I wasted.  There was so much to learn that would have made my life so much easier and rewarding, but I digress.

So, who is my favorite?  There are too many to count.  Sorry.  No names, but you know who you are.

In conclusion, I’ll offer you one caveat; ask me. “Mr. Johnson, am I a favorite, and if so, why?”  I promise that I will answer you truthfully.

Go ahead.  I triple dog dare you.  Ask!

Jesus Zendejas-October

Nellie Lindsay-October

Nolan Huck-November

Karen Mercado-November

Shaina Meier-December

Nikki Stortroen-December

Veronica Hernandez-January

Mitchell Serval-February

Juan Hernandez-February

Erin Hale-April

Elias Lopez-April

April Rios-March

Andrea Gaona-March