Hazen High teacher is honored
March 6, 2009
By Jim Feehan
Ben Graeber, a language arts teacher at Hazen High School, was honored by the Rotary Club of Renton as one of its teachers of the month for January.
As part of the recognition, he received $200 for classroom supplies or instructional materials.
“I was very pleasantly surprised with this honor,” Graeber said. “It was even more inspiring to have dozens of my colleagues send me e-mails of congratulations and praise. Basically, it started a very healthy back-and-forth over e-mail of teachers telling one another that they appreciate the work the others do.”
Hazen junior Tyler Blakley, of Newcastle, said the honor could not have gone to a nicer teacher.
“He really does put in the extra time to help his students succeed,” Blakley said.
Teaching is in Graeber’s genes. Both of his parents were teachers and later principals.
“While an undergrad, I simply gravitated to a few education courses and it was a perfect fit,” he said.
Graeber received his undergraduate degree in literary studies with a minor in journalism from Beloit College in Wisconsin. He later graduated from the University of Washington with a master’s degree in curriculum instruction focusing on language, literacy and culture. This is Graeber’s fourth year teaching at Hazen, where he also serves as the advisor for the student newspaper.
One of the most gratifying aspects of teaching is watching students achieve at levels they never thought were possible, he said.
“I also enjoy the enthusiasm students bring to school each day,” he said. “They are often tired and irritable. However, they want to learn and they appreciate when their teachers put in time and energy on their end to make learning more authentic.”
Graeber plans to use half of the $200 to buy three digital voice recorders for his journalism students. The other $100 is used to celebrate perfect attendance. Students are rewarded when they achieve 10 perfect attendances as a group, Graeber said.
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Hey, this is the greatest teacher ever! I have him for 2nd Period LA and it is my most favorite class of the day. Just saying
Mr. G, you are the filthiest teacher ever!