Friday, October 10, 2008

last updated: April 28, 2008 09:15:42 AM

Louisa Allen nominated Paul Prescott for Class Acts. Allen's three children had Prescott in high school and still thank him today for his help. Allen said Prescott offers extra help at school or at home if the students are not learning what he is teaching. He not only is a great teacher, she said, but is concerned about the community.

• Name: Paul Prescott

• Age: 55

• Hometown: Stockton

• Occupation: Teacher at Denair High School

• Family: Wife, Roberta (deceased); sons, James and Edward; three grandchildren

• Background: Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Lyndon State College (Vermont), 1975; master's in history from California State University, Stanislaus, 1985

• Teaching experience: 1975-79 in Stockton (math and science); 1979 to present in Denair (math, English, history)

Why did you get into teaching? My parents and grandparents were educators, so teaching was a natural choice for me. I discovered in high school that I could explain math to others, and I've been teaching mostly math for more than 30 years.

What is your favorite thing about being a teacher? Probably the favorite thing for all teachers is watching the light come on, when a student "gets it." I can't think of anything more satisfying than watching young adults learn, absorb knowledge, and make the connection to apply what they learn to their lives. I also enjoy keeping tabs on former students (whose children are often now my students).

What is the most challenging part of your job? The great challenge is to deal with reform movements, separating out the nonsense and still teaching young adults what they need and want to learn. Keeping up with the paperwork is also challenging.

Favorite teaching tool or activity in the classroom: Anything that reaches students and makes a connection.

What's next in your classroom? Well, we're at the end of state testing. We are preparing for an accreditation visit, then review for finals, then saying farewell to seniors.

Advice for new teachers: Congratulations on having one of the most meaningful jobs a person could have. You had to jump through a lot more hoops than I did to get into a classroom. Watch other teachers; see if there is anything you can use in your teaching. Don't be afraid to share your frustrations with a few trusted colleagues; often you'll find you're not alone. Never, never, never lose your love of kids or your love of teaching.

Advice for students: Learn all you can, even if you don't think you'll ever use it. There's no telling when you might have an opportunity to use that knowledge to benefit others.

Advice for parents: Especially for parents of high school students, keep involved in their lives. Remember how much you were involved when they were in elementary school? Teens need that same involvement from you now.

Future plans: I'll retire in the near future, then see what God will have me do.

How do you to reach students not interested in school? It's sort of the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try, try, try, again and again and again … ." There is no set strategy, because each person is different. You need to establish a relationship of sorts, making a connection. Find out what he/she likes to do, and arrange school work that applies to that interest. Sometimes, all you have to do is show them you care.

What would surprise people about your job? Most people do not envy the job of a teacher, but it is really quite fun. There is something new every day, even when you've been teaching the same material for more than 30 years.

What did you do on your summer vacation? I travel a lot, and think about how to do new things in the classroom next year. Last summer, our son and I traveled around the U.S. I collected a lot of teaching material from Civil War battle sites for my history students and for our Academic Decathlon team. During summers I spend a lot of time with family and friends, trying to make up for the school year.

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