Great Crossing High School has approximately 140 incredible teachers and staff who show up everyday to teach students valuable lessons and life skills. Teachers at GCHS all have different strengths that help them reach their students. Some are thoroughly involved in students’ lives, while others go out of their way to help others. Teachers in all departments spend large amounts of time planning fun and engaging activities for their classes. The staff of The Crossing Chronicle wanted to highlight some of the amazing teachers that are on staff this year.

Teachers with a sunny demeanor and positive outlook make a difference in the way students perceive the teacher. Tiffany Gook, teacher of biology, honors biology, and AP biology is appreciated by her students for her optimism. “Her positivity every day definitely impacts mine,” said Harper Lukacsko, a sophomore in Ms. Gook’s AP Biology class. “It’s really admirable how she can give so much joy even in not-so-joyful conditions, and inspires me to do the same. Not to mention the genuine care she has for the people she works with and the students she teaches. It’s easy to notice everything she does for others, whether it is made obvious, or just small, almost imperceptible things.”

Students will learn more in classes that they find interesting or in those that are more hands-on. This is the case for students in Emilee Wiler’s agriculture classes. She teaches intro into greenhouse, floraculture, and agriculture. Sophomore Katie McFarland is in Wiler’s Intro to Greenhouse class. “She obviously lets us go to the greenhouse,” said McFarland, “and she does more hands-on activities instead of paper and notes.” Having more activities that keep a student’s attention span longer, such as this class, really intensifies the understanding of that particular subject. 

Having someone in school that knows students personally makes an impact on how they feel in that space. Rebecca Martin, a counselor for last names S-Z, knows sophomore Ethan Wallace very well. “I’ve had Mrs. Martin as a teacher since 5th grade and ever since then she has grown into a very helpful and supportive teacher,” explained Wallace. “She helped me through my ups and downs and has never given up on me. Even when I thought situations were impossible to solve, she solved them.” Having that background really intensifies the sense of connection between a student and a counselor. 

When students have a teacher that cares so highly about others, they are bound to notice, especially when they go out of their way to do so. This is the case for Molly Winters, a math teacher who teaches math concepts, algebra two, and honors algebra II. “Ms. Winters goes out of her way to answer questions and makes sure people understand what she is teaching,” said Amelia Kettenring, a sophomore in Ms. Winters’ honors Algebra II class. “She makes a hard class entertaining, and immensely helps my understanding of the concepts we are learning. Ms. Winters always has this cheery personality, which changes the entire classroom dynamic.”

Some teachers have ‘hidden talents’ that make students laugh and completely jump-start your day. Mitchell Krahulik is a science teacher who teaches chemistry and forensic science. Vincent Jiang, a sophomore in Mr. Krahulik’s chemistry class, explains that “Mr. Krahulik is under-appreciated for his talent in the performing arts,” saidJiang.“Specifically his interpretive dance to the song artistically written by Ice Spice”  

Overall, GCHS has an overwhelming amount of incredible staff, who are extraordinary at everything they do. The teachers mentioned are just some of the many that have these significant qualities. Steering this generation’s knowledge and understanding into high-gear is an intense job, but somehow, these amazing teachers are doing just that.