As we continue working to honor the incredible people in our schools right here at home, this week you’ll meet a teacher from Royal Oak High School who is displaying excellence both in and out of the classroom.
Mr. Steve Chisnell is an English teacher students say teaches lessons well outside of the classroom, impacting their lives and their futures.
“He’s taught me that people aren’t always as they see on paper,” Royal Oak High School Senior Matt Harmon said.
Mr. Chisnell was nominated by Royal Oak School Board Member Marty Cardamone.
“Mr. Chisnell is an All Star because as a teacher he has it all, he connects with the kids, he’s amazing in the classroom, he’s an amazing sponsor,” he said.
Chisnell says he’s excited about teaching every single day he steps foot inside the school.
“I’ve learned where their passions are, where they want to go what they want to do, my job is to help them get there,” Chisnell said.
He's helping many students find life’s passion on relief trips.
“Students came to me and they said we want to do real work, we want to rebuild houses, we want to rebuild real neighborhoods,” Chisnell said.
For 10 years, that’s exactly what he’s helped them do, accompanying students on relief trips from helping hurricane and flood victims here in the United States to community service projects in Central and South America.
“He’s made me more an international minded citizen because knowing what you do as an individual, you’re not just a high schooler, what you can do can impact the world,” Harmon said.
Mr. Chisnell says that’s what makes him tick.
“When someone ‘gets it,’ I don’t mean getting it like understanding a comma rule, great but getting it like ‘I know why I’m doing things now, I know my purpose for learning,” he said. “What I’m supposed to do with learning that’s going to change things.”
We want to know who you think should be honored as one of our All Stars: Click here to nominate someone going above and beyond in your school.
