As this year comes to a close and the seniors are leaving, it brings us for a time of reflection. Throughout Kearsley schools there are many teachers who make lasting memories with their students. 

Shannon Hale, senior, said “I have like 4 favorites. Mr. Christian, Mr. Nester, Mrs. Barnes, and Mrs. Sporman. They were the only people who cared to talk to me and help me in both academics and personal life. They made me feel safe and comfortable, they were very maternal and paternal.”

Teachers can feel like parents to some regardless of the grade they teach. Mr. Christian is one of the current science teachers here. Mr. Nester is the current Government teacher, he is one of the teachers who’s been here the longest right next to Mr. Adas. Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Sporman do a lot here at Kearsley, but they focus heavily on preparing students with resources they will need during the school year and after they graduate.

Senior, Shania Pickens, mentioned, “I have 6 favorite teachers, Mr. Nester, Mr. [Brent] Smith, Mrs. Knoll, Mr. Markwardt, Mrs. Graham, and Mr. Adas. They have all gotten me to this point in my academic career and have always encouraged me to be a better version of myself everyday.”

Mrs. Knoll and Mr. Adas are both English teachers here at Kearsley. Mr. Adas has been teaching here for about 37 years, while Mrs. Knoll has been here for about 5 years. Both make a long lasting impact on a students lives regardless of how long they have been teaching. Mr. Markwardt does a few things, he teaches social studies, history and AP classes. Mrs. Graham is the current health teacher, but she’s going to be retiring this year, and many students feel bittersweet to see her go. Teachers don’t always have to help in an emotional way, it can also be an academic way. They can help with how the student feels about and approaches work. 

Mathew Shea, senior, spoke, “Mr. Adas because he is realistic and he is to the point. This allowed me to work on my projects and also take a real insight on my future and make sure I want to do what I am doing. I whole-heartedly believe his teaching style, the way he is strict, and his seriousness is what makes him have the biggest impact on students and their futures.”

Many teachers who have been mentioned are from the English and Social Studies departments, but Logan Shimmons changes that and talks about teachers from the Fine Arts and Language department. 

“I believe that my 3 most impactful teachers I had during my career at Kearsley High School are Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Turton, and Mrs. Chimbo. All three are still prominent in my growth as a person, although Mrs. Phelps and Turton don’t work at Kearsley anymore, they have all impacted my life during school and made the classes I have been in truly enjoyable.”

Mrs. Phelps is a retired teacher who used to work with the middle school and high school band. Even though she only worked here for a couple years, she changed many lives. Mrs. Turton and Mrs. Chimbo are both from the Language department. Mrs. Turton taught English while Mrs. Chimbo teaches Spanish. Chimbo is also this year’s senior class sponsor.

Teachers all over the country make a lasting influence on their students. Over the many, many years the Kearsley schools have been open, they have seen hundreds of teachers come through the doors. This is a glimpse of just a few of those impactful teachers.