My 6:30 alarm never failed to put me in a bad mood. Urging myself to pull the plush, warm blankets off my body and gain energy to jump into the shower wasn’t desirable. But once I stepped foot into school, I realized I only had few more hours until my entire day will be turned around when I heard the simple phrase “Alright, what do you have for me today?”

Mr. Haase teaches my American Problems and his excitement for the world makes me want to listen to what he has to say. Although his class is an elective and indeed, I don’t have to take this class to graduate, I choose to because not only is it an easy passing grade, Mr. Haase makes me want to learn what he’s teaching and pay more attention to my everyday routine.

Participation is required to earn your grade, so of course you have to express your feelings and opinions about the topics we discuss in class. The only rule in his class when it comes to participation is, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so you can’t respond to their opinion by saying “what that’s so stupid!” because he would say, “no their opinion isn’t stupid maybe you’re stupid ever think of that?” His words drew my attention like a 50% off coupon at urban outfitters. When I heard him say this the first day of class, I knew with no delay I was going to enjoy countless minutes I spent in his class. It’s not common that a teacher has as much enthusiasm as Mr. Haase does, and that makes american problems more delightful.

I was nervous to raise my hand in class to share my current event for the day at the beginning of the semester. But once I coincidentally shared the same current event Mr. Hasse planned to share with the class two days in a row, so in return of being “extra smart” he decided to name Tuesdays “Toth Tuesday”  after my last name to receive double points if any student shared the same current that he had in mind.

Although this class could be described as a basic elective, more students prefer taking it over a foods class, or computer essentials. I believe it’s because the class is inspiring with information. Yes we have a main focus topic, but with the current events we share and issues we discuss that are happening around us, it’s difficult to encourage someone to take a different class.

I’ve developed more stamina to watch the news just to see what’s going on around me instead of watching it just for participation points. I envy the fact that Mr. Haase can juggle his life at home with his kids, coach basketball, and somehow be energized and ready to go by 7:30 AM every day of the week.