Some teachers prefer to teach straight from the textbook, while others like to teach in more creative ways. Mr. Christian is a chemistry and physics teacher who enjoys thinking outside the box. He believes students learn by doing hands-on activities, which is why he tries to include labs whenever possible. He describes himself as methodical, rational, and day to day focused. Which is obvious through the way he teaches and connects with his students.
Mr. Christian has been teaching for 36 years and says his teaching style focuses on experiments before the book. He believes students understand science better when they see it happen instead of just reading about it. This mindset has made him well known at Kearsley for his hands-on labs and demonstrations. Some of the most memorable activities including blowing up pumpkins, making Dippin Dots, and creating Valentine’s Day chocolates. When asked what he hopes students remember most about his class, he answered simply, labs and demos.
When asked what he enjoys most about teaching, Mr. Christian said creativity. However, he admits that teaching is not without its challenges. He says the most difficult part of the job is the long stretch of time between vacations. On especially tough days throughout the winter he stays motivated by reminding himself that a snow day might be just around the corner. Despite the challenges, Mr. Christian says science and teaching are topics he says he could talk about for hours, showing how passionate he truly is about his career.
Mr. Christian’s passion for teaching has been shaped by his experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Throughout his life, Mr. Christian has taught in many different places including Indiana and the Virgin Islands. He says teaching in the Virgin Islands was one of the moments that shaped him the most, as it exposed him to a different culture and students. He also credits attending and graduating from Albion College as an important part of his journey. These experiences helped him build what he describes as a “toolbox” of teaching strategies that he can adapt to different students and learning styles.
Outside of school Mr. Christian enjoys woodworking, driving, using heavy equipment, and hunting. He also does wood burning several times a week and even makes wood-burned items for students and staff. Personally I have seen these items displayed around his classroom. One of his goals this year is to add more equipment to his wood shop, allowing him to continue developing his crafts. When asked what happiness looks like to him he answered that it is being in the forest during the fall, which is a way for him to relax and enjoy time to himself.
As Mr. Christian has expressed several times before he is a major Michigan fan. He has been a Michigan football fan his entire life and says he has always supported the Wolverines. His love for Michigan football often comes up in conversation considering his whole classroom is decked out with Michigan decorations and gear. This adds another way for him to connect with his students. Many students say it’s easy to tell how dedicated he is to the team based on how he dresses on game days in his Michigan gear and especially because of how his classroom is. This lifelong interest shows another side of Mr. Christian’s personality and helps build relationships with students outside of academics.
With decades of experience, a creative teaching style, and a strong dedication to his students, Mr. Christian is one of the many educators at Kearsley High School who makes learning meaningful. His commitment to hands-on science helps students not only understand the subject better, but also develop skills they will carry with them long after they leave his classroom.
