Students’ Impact on Teachers

Teachers at Northwest High School teach a wide variety of students over time, and each of them leave a unique impact on their educators.

Mr. Daubitz, head Vocal Music Director at Northwest, has led many choirs over his five years of teaching. His students have impacted him by refining his teaching techniques. “Every student that I’ve ever taught has given me something to think about, something that has pushed me to be a better teacher,” Daubitz described. By working with students, Daubitz can reflect on his own strengths and weaknesses. He explained, “I focus a lot on making sure that we are taking some of the things that fostered positive culture, letting go of [others].” Not only does this process improve his teaching, but it allows Daubitz to show accountability. He stated, “I am not someone who shies away from admitting my own failures… [I] try to model vulnerability and a culture of constant growth and improvement.” 

Northwest Spanish teacher Señora McEniry agreed with Daubitz, adding that students have helped with her personal growth. McEnriry explained, “I feel like [students] help me cultivate my humanity. They’ve helped me become a better person.” Since she began teaching in 1989, interacting with students has also helped McEniry show vulnerability. She expressed, “As a person who wears some emotional armor… [students] chip away at that armor a little bit.” However, students have also helped her with her education. Around 2019, McEniry’s students motivated her to return to college and finish her Master’s degree in education. Students who learned from McEniry inspired her to learn more herself. She stated, “Your students will be your teacher, oftentimes without you even realizing it.”

Students can help teachers just as much as teachers help students. Mr. Winter is a math teacher at Northwest and the Quiz Bowl coach. Students have impacted Winter by supporting him. “Just being around the students… is sometimes the best medicine for what’s in between my head,” he described. Like all people, Winter has rough days, and letting his students know has helped. “Teachers probably won’t ever let a student see this, but I think the students do a lot more for teachers and teachers’ mental health than what is probably portrayed,” he claimed. Winter noted that over 17 years of teaching, his first students left the biggest impact. They set foundations for his teaching, both with challenges and support. No matter who they are, students have taught him to grow and given him a passion to work for. “I see how students grow and progress, and it’s an inspiration to me… The students provide me personally with so much more than I’ll ever be able to show gratitude for,” Winter declared.