Not even knowing the rules of English, yet being expected to learn how to speak Spanish is mind-boggling. But that’s the challenge Mr. Hermann, a first year Spanish teacher, was presented with. Coming to Richmond, from Homestead High School and having to teach is never easy, but it’s even harder to teach kids a new language when they don’t fully understand their own.

Mr. Hermann brought a different attitude to Spanish. He loved to joke around and make the class exciting. Every recess, Mr. Hermann came in the gym and played basketball with me. We both had a passion for the game, and he knew it was a fun way to connect with me. I loved when he joked around with me because it lightened up the mood.

Every day, when I walked into class, he said, “Trivett, your jumper es hace frío,” meaning “Trivett, your jumper is cold.” Then the whole class laughed. Spanish is one of the most stressful classes, because of all the vocabulary, different forms, and the grammar structures. But instead of teaching the class like a normal teacher, he had us play Spanish games and other activities that were fun while we were learning.

He comes across more as a friend, rather than a coach or teacher. Not only does Mr. Hermann teach at the school, but he always helps out with AMSAC basketball. AMSAC is the Arrowhead Middle School Basketball feeder league, where all eight schools that feed into Arrowhead play each other. He is knowledgeable and likes to give back. It’s been a struggle to find basketball coaches at Richmond. Teachers complain about not getting paid enough and then volunteering their time. But Mr. Hermann didn’t care about that; instead, he just wanted to teach kids how to play the game he loved.

There was one special ed person in our class that struggled. It was extremely difficult for him to speak English, let alone speak Spanish. The student despised Spanish and Mr. Hermann knew it. Every time Mr. Hermann called on him, he became timid and didn’t know the answer. So Mr. Hermann embraced the situation. Instead of pretending there was no problem and just continuing to teach the same way, he talked to the kid after every class. And in a few weeks, the student felt more comfortable asking Mr. Hermann questions alone, rather than asking them in front of the whole class. That was the first time I’ve seen a teach embrace a tough situation and turn it into a positive. I learned from Mr. Hermann that no matter what situation is thrown at you in life, you can always turn it into a positive experience.

It’s hard to find a person that is more kind hearted than Mr. Hermann. From getting thrown into a new teaching role with new students, to helping kids succeed, he did it all. That is why I would like to nominate my eighth grade Spanish teacher Mr. Hermann for this award.