For Jeff Collier of Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, teaching is more than about the statistics and other math classes he teaches. It is about teaching a student to be successful.

Collier stated, “The key for me is treating them like young adults, and making the students understand I truly care about their success. I believe all young people can be successful in life, even if that success doesn’t look the same for all of them.”

Jayne Covington, one of his former students said this of him, “He was the teacher you could go to when you had a problem and he’d give you a few options of what you could do, and when you’re going through a rebellious stage options are just what you need instead of a lecture. He cares more about his students as people and future adults than test scores and I think that’s what sets him apart. I probably wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if I hadn’t had him as a teacher.”

Jeff Collier finished with, “They (students) need to know that someone they look up to has confidence in them and that their mistakes do not have to define who they are.”

For being a teacher of both math and life, we salute our Teacher of the Week, Jeff Collier!

To nominate someone as Teacher of the Week, message Michael Cole through Facebook, or email him at michaelcole@mail.com