Coming up on the last couple weeks of school, students and teachers are ready to say goodbye to the 2024-2025 school year. But leaving with that is one of the most beloved teachers in this building.
Scott Turner, a one of a kind physics teacher, is retiring after teaching for 28 years at Highlands.
In his many years of teaching he has inspired students to try their best and has also taught students that it is okay to be wrong. He brings kindness, respect, and lots of reassurance into his classroom.
For many students, Turner is more than a teacher, he is also a friend.
He is known for his forgiving nature and making the concept of physics easier to understand.
Turner has turned a “hard to understand class” into a subject that many can understand and pass.
“I like to try to get kids to see the physics that they experience in their everyday lives. Whether it be in football, cheer, dance, band, etc.,” Physics teacher Scott Turner said.
In his classroom he creates laughter with his jokes and creates an atmosphere where he makes students feel welcome and comfortable. With his lessons he often does hand on experiments.
“The topic he teaches is hard but doing the labs helps me a lot understand what we are doing in class,” Charlotte Claire (9) said.
What truly sets him apart from most is the way he treats his students. Turner cares deeply for all his students and is quick to help a student when they need it.
“Mr.Turner is really good at explaining things and helps me until I understand what we are learning,” Natalie Kirst (9) said.
Patience and deep understanding was something consistent in Turner’s classroom. His forgiving nature has helped students feel seen, learn from mistakes, and keep trying in his class. He understands that physics is hard, and he chooses to show grace and reassure students when they have questions.
“I try to picture myself in the shoes of my students and think about how I would like to be treated by a teacher,” Turner said.
As the end of the school year approaches as well as his retirement, there are many mixed emotions. Some are happy for him but sad to see him leave. The school won’t be the same without him and his respect for students.
No matter what happens next, one thing no one will forget is the impact he made. In a fast moving school, where the quarters seem like a blur and teachers go and come, Turner has left an impression that time won’t erase.
“Always be yourself and honest to the kids that are in front of you. I would also point out that you should fight through the hard days because the good days far outweigh the bad ones,” Turner said.
