BSM is widely known for its amazing teachers that are dedicated to their students. Some of those teachers have extremely funny personalities that make them stand out from others. In some cases, these ‘quirks’ help students further engage in learning and can make school more enjoyable.
Senior High math teacher John Groess is considered one of the funniest and most unique teachers at BSM. When walking into Groess’s class you never know what the next hour and a half brings. Math, arguably one of the hardest subjects, can become a fun class instead of a dreaded one when Groess is your teacher. He finds a way to turn a student’s bad day into a good one with his personality that keeps students laughing throughout the duration of class. “I sing in my class, I make the sound of an ambulance siren, I jump on desks, I wear a fanny pack, I have math shoes, and I have the chicken quiz,” Groess said.
I do silly voices, like the dragon voice, because sometimes I need to do things to just amuse myself,” Senior High English teacher
— Anna Overbo
Teachers being able to express themselves while teaching impacts themselves and students. Students falling asleep in class continues to become more and more common. Keeping students awake can be a challenge for more teachers than others. Instructors letting out their unique, quirky personalities not only entertain students throughout class but also entertain themselves. “I do silly voices, like the dragon voice, because sometimes I need to do things to just amuse myself,” Senior High English teacher Anna Overbo said.
Teachers were once students, and the way their previous teachers taught them when they were younger can impact the way they decide to teach their own students. John Porisch, a Senior High science teacher, commonly known for his ‘hilarious’ dad jokes, had his own dad as his science teacher when he was in high school. “The way I’m teaching is stuff that got passed on from him to me. So maybe that ends up being fun even though it’s just my childhood,” Porisch said.
Being in a classroom where students are laughing can have a huge impact on a student’s view of the school environment. Teachers can either make school a place that students dread coming to every day or they can make their class something students look forward to. Most students enjoy a fun learning environment that keeps them engaged. Junior Siri Gudmundson looks forward to classes that are energetic and get her laughing. Her favorite teacher at BSM is Groess. “I feel like he brings a great atmosphere to the school,” Gudmundson said.