Being elected for teacher of the year by your colleagues is a huge honor, and this year math teacher Tom Schaefer takes the award home. His students are not surprised with the honor.
“He’s really helpful and whenever I’m in class,” junior Madison Brown said. “I really understand the information he gives us; he really makes the information really knowledgeable.”
Schaefer teaches AP Calculus BC, College Algebra and College Prep Math. He is also the sponsor of Senior Men and the boys and girls varsity volleyball coach.
“He puts focus on each student, and it’s the same in volleyball,” senior Matthew Kane said. “He just wants to make everyone better, and he really simplifies it for you so it’s easier for you to understand so you can learn and grow.”
Schaefer is very humbled by this selection, but he doesn’t think it affects his teaching.
“I’m very honored to have been selected by the staff to represent Parkway Central this year; we have a lot of very well qualified teachers who could have held this position,” Schaefer said. “It doesn’t change anything about my job and how I do my job, but it’s nice to be recognized by your fellow teachers and receive that honor.”
His students hope that he will continue to assist them in all the ways that made him stand out to his colleagues.
“I always go in to ask for help, and he’s always there to support me and always wants to make sure everyone does their best,” Brown said. “He’s really understanding and he knows what he’s talking about; also he really makes the class enjoyable.”