Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Schaeffer

Mr. Schaeffer is a phenomenal teacher. After attending Central Michigan University (CMU), he student taught in Clare, Michigan and in Australia. Now is the College Prep Social Studies’ teacher. Mr. Schaeffer is an instrumental part of JPEC. As Social Studies’ Department Chair, he works with all of the Social Studies’ department to develop curriculum, and address problems within the department, among other things.

Mr. Schaeffer recently brought in tea for his 8th grade class when discussing the Boston Tea Party to emphasize his lesson. He loves planning fun assignments to engage his students, and that is what makes him an awesome teacher.

Mr. Schaeffer has done many things for this school. He is the in charge of the 8th grade field trip to D.C., and he also organized last year’s field day with the Student Council, as the College Prep’s Student Council’s teacher advisor. Kacy Utterback says, “Mr. Schaeffer gets the class to fun things.”

Mr. Schaeffer first realized he wanted to be a teacher at a friend’s high school graduation. A teacher went up on the stage, and all the seniors wildly applauded, but no one else knew who they were and provided polite applause. “That’s when I realized, that’s what I want,” said Schaeffer.

After polling 20 students if they liked Mr. Schaeffer as a teacher, all of them said yes. When asked about how he feels about his 100% approval rating, Mr. Schaeffer felt humbled saying, “To get to [teach] everyday is a privilege.”

After interviewing several students, we found Mr. Schaeffer was the favorite of many students. Vasily Yevseyev, an 8th grader said, “When he teaches, he teaches in a fun way. His assignments are fun.” Another student, Kacy Utterback says, “He gives you time in class to do work, and he’s a fun teacher.” Emma Kuhl stated, “He doesn’t give a lot of work like other teachers, and he gives fun assignments.