Tom Lopez, Principal, Rocky Mountain High School

I would like to take a moment to thank the rotary club for inviting me to this afternoon’s luncheon. I am truly honored to be here with you today to be recognized for something that I am so passionate about, yet more humbled to represent the tremendous staff and community of Rocky Mtn. High School.

I was once asked “Why do you want to be a teacher when there is so many other professions out there?” I looked at this person and smiled knowing that I wanted to make a difference. Where else can you wake up every morning knowing that you can and will have an immediate impact on many young adults? The past ten years of my life have been filled with trials and tribulations due to the profession I chose to pursue while attending college. Honestly though, teaching wasn’t my first declared major in college. I was actually an engineering major for 1 year before I realized; who needs to be rich, and decided to go into public education. During my short time in education, I have realized that wealth most certainly doesn’t come from my checkbook. Making a difference with kids is all the wealth in the world. So needless to say, influencing and guiding youth is exactly why I teach and I believe is why I stand before you today. When I first began teaching 10 years ago, I didn’t fully comprehend the impact education would have on my life.

Teaching and Coaching is not only my profession, it is my passion, and a large influence in my families life. My wife Wende and I have 2 beautiful children Taylor and Gage (ages 4 and 2). Wende, a 3rd grade teacher at Beattie Elementary School is a driving force for my passion for teaching and coaching. I could bore you with stories of our dinner table discussions about our current students and players, or tell you how my children sing the Rocky Mountain Fight Song in the back seat of our car and always think Daddy is going to work when we drive by the school, but I think I should probably keep more to the point. By now of you may be wondering where I am going with my family and my educational career, so I will let you know, it is quite simple. I, and my fellow colleagues in education sink everything into our schools, our classrooms, and our practice fields. Fortunately for me, my wife and kids love football and love being around my team. My wife and kids spend more time at Rocky during the football season than they do at our own house. There is nothing better than getting a victory hug from my wife and kids after a well fought football game, and there is nothing more comforting than that same hug after a devastating defeat. My family is where my passion and fire for teaching and coaching is fostered. I want my players and students to see my family and how we interact with one another. I truly believe that when my players and students get to know me on a personal level our bond of trust will strengthen, fostering a highly positive learning environment.

There is so much to be learned by children during their time in the public schools system. It is our job as educators to provide platforms of learning opportunities for students and athletes. It is easy to teach and guide students when they are successful, yet the real learning takes place when students and athletes are in adverse situations. As often as kids are taught and reminded to make good decisions, unfortunately as we all know they don’t always do what is right. I have come to believe that there is just things that kids need to experience the hard way. It is from these mistakes that allows one the greatest opportunity to learn. These are the moments when educators can have their biggest impact. Life is not always easy. Students and athletes need to face adversity in the classroom and on the athletic field. After all, there is so much that can be learned about yourself when dealing with conflict. In my tens years of teaching and coaching, I feel that I have had my biggest impact on kids when they were dealing with adversity. It is then when students need you the most and are most receptive to advice. The most difficult job for an educator is to provide that particular student with the proper guidance. It is easy to turn your back on difficult times, yet these are the moments life lessons must be taught. As hard as it may be, this is often not what they want to hear. Yet, I have found that kids need to hear what’s right, not what is easiest. Granted, in doing this, you may not be the most popular, yet in time, you hope to make a difference.

As I look back on my childhood and life as a young adult I can’t remember when I got my first BB gun, or my football record from my senior season, yet I can recall many teachers and coaches whom have played a vital role in who I am today. Their influences touched me in ways that they will never know and quite possibly would never imagine. I find comfort knowing that I could possibly be that teacher or coach that helps a student make a right choice when his or her peers are making the wrong ones. It is exciting to see the impact education and the halls of Rocky Mountain High School have on so many young minds. It is truly an honor to be in this profession that I love, and humbling to know that there are many of you out there that recognize the impact that educators in this great district have made and continue making on today’s youth and tomorrows leaders.

The Following Are The Statements That Ryan Made In The Rotary Teacher of the Month Form:

Copyright © for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Poudre R-1 School District and by Alan Ashbaugh, October 18, 2007