Posted on 02/17/2007 6:32:57 AM PST by KeyLargo
'Our teacher ... our fighting hero'
February 17, 2007
By CATHERINE ANN VELASCO STAFF WRITER
PLAINFIELD -- Wearing a red, white and blue lei a student gave him, Spanish teacher Bill Johnson gave tearful adioses and hugs to his students Friday before leaving for military training today to prepare him to serve in Iraq.
Johnson, 26, who is a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, was called to active duty barely three weeks ago.
His biggest concern wasn't his future, but the 95 students in his Spanish I and III classes.
"From Day 1, he has been worried about how they would handle it," said Mary Jones, assistant principal at Plainfield High School's Central Campus.
On Friday, he skipped Spanish lessons for goodbye parties as students and teachers brought gifts, goodies, posters and cards.
In his Spanish III class, he was overwhelmed by a scrapbook the students made for him. The pages, decorated with photos and letters from different students who wanted to show Johnson how he impacted their lives. They also presented him a cake topped with his photo and the words "Our hero."
Laurel Baker, 17, was up until 4 a.m. finishing the scrapbook she began when she heard the news a week ago. Laurel, Alyssa Gass, Ali Smith and Stephanie Marry worked on it together.
"You are a Spanish III class and you made a whole scrapbook in English," he teased. "Thank you guys so much. You have done way more than you had to."
On her page, Meghan Merklein, 16, wrote, "I can't believe you are leaving. It doesn't seem fair, but I know it's what you do."
Miguel Calvillo, 17, wore Army camouflage and a red, white and blue T-shirt for the goodbye party.
"I just don't want him to get hurt. He's the first person I actually know who is going," Miguel said. "The fear is the unknown. ... There are people dying over there."
Many times Johnson couldn't look at the presents -- an iPod or a scrapbook. That's why Stephanie insisted on reading her ode, which was pasted on a scrapbook page.
"We'll always remember our teacher, our friend, our fighting hero," she said.
Johnson tried to lighten up the mood.
"I won't be fighting anyone. I'll be going to get a tan," he said.
This is Johnson's first year teaching in Plainfield School District. Previously, he taught at Rich East High School.
Jones said she told Johnson when he gets back home she will give him one free day, but then wants him to report immediately, and he agreed. But Johnson and Jones knows that he could gone for at least 15 months.
Johnson hope he will be back to see his current sophomores graduate from high school.
"He takes a personal interest in them. He encourages them to rise above and beyond what they can do," Jones said.
Jones lauded Johnson for giving up his planning period to help translate for about 20 students in English as a second language.
Martyna Kedzierska, 16, broke down in tears as she tried to explain how Johnson helped with her driver's education forms so she could get a learning permit.
"He helped me with translations," she said. "I was trying to teach him Polish. He is a cool guy, and I'll never forget him."
"I learned some Polish over there," Johnson said. "That was the deal. Every day I would learn a phrase in Polish, and she would learn a phrase in Spanish." Another lesson Johnson said he hopes his students understand the lesson of commitment. He promised the U.S. Army, he would go if needed, and he is.
"I got people not much older than them I'm in charge of," Johnson said. "When you make a commitment -- you follow through."
Jones said they will keep in touch with Johnson and students will send packages to Johnson and his unit.
"The administration and staff have gone a million times over than what I expected," Johnson said.
"We are using a lot of Kleenex today," Jones said.
"I think I'm on my third box today," Johnson said.
Before the bell rang, his fourth-period class took a classroom photo together saluting their teacher who sat in the middle.
His parting words to his Spanish III class were: "You guys should be lucky to be in the school you are in. I've taught in other schools before. This is by far the best. ... Please take advantage of the hand you have been dealt. I beg you. I'll be checking on you every day. I will be back. You better be doing well or I'll yell at you. You know I love you." Last assignment Even though he was leaving, he gave them one last homework assignment.
"I expect everyone of you to e-mail me in Spanish," he said, a comment met by some groans.
Students said they would start their letters with "hola" and end with "adios," but Johnson didn't agree that that was enough.
After the class bell rung, each student stayed behind for a hug.
"You guys are all going to be tardy, by the way," Johnson told them..
After the students left, Johnson said he looked forward to their e-mails.
"It's good to stay in contact. If they need help with anything at all -- I want to be there for them," Johnson said. "It's good for them and me that we are not cut off."
"Even out there," Jones said. "He will be teaching."
"Johnson said he hopes his students understand the lesson of commitment. He promised the U.S. Army, he would go if needed, and he is."
Great article!
May God bless him and protect him. He's touched many lives in a very positive way. His actions speak volumes to those young minds.
It's nice to see a group of students who have been inspired by and understand those lessons of commitment - along with responsibility and love of country. Great guy; may God bless him and keep him safe.
Oh No.My computer screen is clouding up.Now I need Kleenex.
What a great story and what a great man.This is a lesson the students will never forget.
Thanks for posting..
Thanks for this post, it's past time we've had a good article about teachers!
what an inspiring teacher! it's so good to see
positives about others in a profession who truly
do have an incredible impact on so many lives.
Hasta La Vista, Al-Qaeda!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.