GRANT, Mich. — School leaders say it was the students who really took charge of this latest Teacher of the Week surprise at Grant High School.
Walking into the surprise, John Solis, a teacher at Grant High School and our newest Teacher of the Week, said, “It’s wonderful. It’s nice to feel.”
Dan Simon is the principal. He said he’s “really proud of John Solis. He’s one of our teachers that’s been here a long time but still has the heart for our kids and the kids recognize that. So, it was fantastic to get your email.”
Turns out Solis is not a big fan of surprises, but that didn’t stop the celebration.
“Those seniors that nominated him, they really put the effort into it. They just asked me a few questions and really took the ball from there and went and got the balloons and got the students all fired up about it and had them make signs. So, the students were the ones behind it,” said Simon.
“Who was it, you two,” Solis asked two students as he laughed. As the students waved and nodded yes, Solis said, “Thank you. Thank you very much. You guys know I care about you guys, and you know I don’t like this kind of stuff but thank you.”
Those seniors would be Julie Ashbaugh and Madison Brooks.
“As he was coming down, we knew that he was not sure what was going to happen, and he doesn’t really like surprises or the center of attention, but he really deserved it. So, we were kind of excited for that,” said Ashbaugh.
The idea came early one morning before school.
Brooks told 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “I go to the gym in the morning at our fitness center here at Grant and I noticed your segment on Teacher of the Week and how Mr. Solis should be recognized for that. So, I brought up the idea to Julie."
“I think I have a good rapport with my students. I mean, I didn’t expect this,” said Solis.
He’s now in his 27th year at Grant High School, teaching math.
Solis said, “I just treat them like my kids, good or bad.”
“If they are misbehaving, John lets them know and if they’re doing a great job, he lets them know as well,” said Simon.
Solis explained that “The kids know that there’s time for math but that there’s time just to share some stories, talk about things, joke around just to make the hour go by, make the days go by and the weeks go by.”
Principal Simon added that, “Teaching math is difficult because not everybody loves math, but everybody can build a relationship if they choose, and John chooses to do that.”
“I know that Mr. Solis is literally a direct reflection of how I have success in math. So, I knew he needed to be recognized,” said Ashbaugh.
Brooks said, “He really cares about the students, and he connects with them.”
Ashbaugh added, “And he always has a smile on his face and so it’s always nice when we can be a part of that smile and show him that we’re thankful in some ways.”
Teachers don’t always hear “thank you” and this teacher says that’s okay.
“You know, sometimes we just see that ‘thank you’ in other ways. You don’t have to say it, but I know. They show it in other ways,” said Solis.
“Our teachers here in West Michigan deserve a big kudos,” said Principal Simon.
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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