Thanksgiving is approaching, and The Prowler editors have been reflecting on the teachers for whom they are grateful. This Thanksgiving, we asked our editors to share anecdotes about the teachers who have made a difference in their lives inside and outside the classroom.
From Ella S. (’25)
Mr. Soltis: As Thanksgiving comes around the corner, I want to express my gratitude for Mr. Soltis! His passion, energy, and drive as an English teacher have made an everlasting impact on me – not only as a student but as a human being. Thank you for challenging me to think critically, encouraging me to be a better writer, and pushing me to work my hardest. Your enthusiasm in the classroom helps me stay engaged and passionate about everything we learn. You go above and beyond to make learning engaging and meaningful. I will never forget our unit about body language. This opened my eyes to the importance of paying attention to detail and how expressions can communicate much more than words. This has helped me conduct interviews for The Prowler and in my daily conversations. Thank you for making learning not just about grades but about growth and passion. I never thought that one short semester of AP Lang could change how I write forever – but it did! Thank you for being my teacher. Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving, Mr. Soltis!
From Lindsey S. (’25)
Ms. Vane: At the beginning of my sophomore year, I told Ms. Vane that I would “never be able to understand science.” She reassured me that my statement was not true. With Thanksgiving approaching, I can’t think of a better person to express my gratitude for than the teacher who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. There is no other teacher who would Zoom with her students during finals week. There is no other teacher who is the first to cheer you on when you succeed. And there is no other teacher who will listen and support you, even if you’re no longer her student, quite like Ms. Vane does. Thank you for changing my life and showing me that when I set my mind to a goal, I can accomplish anything. I can confidently say that I now have a stronger understanding of the world around me, and I owe it all to Ms. Vane’s passionate teaching.
From Gidi G. (’25)
Mr. Lerman: I am grateful for Mr. Lerman. One day during lunch, I was walking near the upstairs tables when I saw Mr. Lerman sitting there on his computer. I thought it was the perfect time to go to him and ask him about astronomy. He was happy to answer all my questions about Saturn and our moon, so we sat down together and talked about astronomy for the rest of lunch.
From Justin G. (’28)
Mrs. Kasif: I’ve always liked math, but was anxious for high school. I expected to struggle in geometry my freshman year. Proving triangles and finding the area of circles is not supposed to be fun. However, with Mrs. Kasif, that is not the case. From mid unit quizzes to tests, she puts a magical spell on her class, and suddenly, all of her students look forward to math class with Mrs. Kasif. I’m not sure how she does it, her positive teaching style, the way she helps students when they don’t understand. I’m thankful to have Mrs. Kasif as my math teacher.
From Gabe K. (’25)
I can’t believe I had to wait until my junior year to have Ms. Golden as my teacher. I’m grateful for not only everything she has done for me as a writer but also for helping me enjoy English again after a rough sophomore year. Seeing everything that she has done for me and for all of her students makes me wish that everyone gets the opportunity to have her as a teacher at some point. She really is a game-changer, and I’m grateful for her kindness, patience, and dedication towards me and all of her students.
From Liad E. (’25)
Ms. Supanich: I remember my freshman year English class with Ms. Supanich. She had always been such a kind-hearted teacher. And it’s evident she truly cares about her students. During my sophomore and junior year, when I didn’t have her as a teacher, we would still have small conversations and always greet each other in the halls. Now I have her again as a senior and it feels like a full circle moment. I am very thankful and appreciative for Ms. Supanich’s kindness.
From Max W. (’25)
Mr. Wiebe: Mr. Wiebe is the GOAT. I rarely meet a teacher who is as passionate about his craft and his students as Mr. Wiebe. He is a teacher with the experiences of a thousand men, and the tales of a thousand more. I owe my knowledge and passion about speaking, debating, and U.S. History to Mr. Wiebe! Happy Thanksgiving, stay teaching bro.
From Aiden G. (’25)
Mr. Masserman: I’m grateful for Mr. Masserman for making sci-fi such a fun class. From watching Black Mirror episodes in class to reading short stories from Stephan King and Ray Bradbury, I now know to be scared of every piece of technology that I own.
