While I was at TJ & SHS I had many types of students. Some academically inclined, some artistic, some athletically inclined, some leaders, some followers, some highly motivated, some not motivated at all but went to school anyways. And all I wanted to do was to have a positive impact on my students, the school and to teach science. Mrs. Hofschneider allowed me to teach with high standards. She was the buffer between me and the parents and students who would complain that I gave too much homework or demanded too much from my students. I believe that some of those same students are now very appreciative of the demanding work load in my class and that Mrs. Hofschneider allowed me teach with high standards. I believe those same students now realize that their principal wanted what was the best for the students at Tinian Jr/Sr High School. Like the majority of parents in the Tinian community, she doesn’t want those students to set low standards for themselves or to get a “free ride” because a parent or someone else lowers the standards.
On a day-to-day basis a teacher has to make many decisions regarding the running of the classroom such as which way to teach the course or how to implement school and district procedures. An administrator’s position is also filled with a multitude of decisions, maybe more so since he or she has the most direct communications with the school district office, parents and the community. Along with her administrative duties, Mrs. Hofschneider taught classes. As a teacher she had no buffer between the parents and herself. I do not know who the six students or their parents are that had a problem with meeting Mrs. Hofschneider’s standards. However as a parent and teacher, I find it sad that some parents expect so little from their children.
JOHN SUTFIN
2006 Teacher of the Year
Tinian Junior/Senior High School
