GRANDVILLE, Mich. — This newest Teacher of the Week has dedicated his entire, nearly three-decade-long career to Grandville High School. He teaches algebra and geometry and has a funny way of connecting with the students, which 13 ON YOUR SIDE got to see when we showed up for the surprise.
“I was quite shocked to be honest with you. I would never have expected this, at all,” said Tyler Engbers after walking into a classroom full of applauding students. He said he’s, “very proud that somebody would even nominate me for something like that.”
This teacher brings the energy and starts every class with a joke.
His plan didn’t always include becoming a teacher.
“I actually started in engineering and in the middle of my junior year called home crying telling my parents I didn’t want to be an engineer,” said Engbers before turning to his students to say, “That’s right, I cried guys and it’s okay to cry.”
His change of plans brought him to the classroom.
“Decided to go into history and math and teaching just seemed like a good fit to that and I like being around people and trying to help them through problems and those two things just kind of came together really well for me.”
Adam Lancto is the principal at Grandville High School.
“I think it’s easy to see why he got this award,” he said.
As a matter of fact, the student who nominated him said he’s funny, nice and an overall great guy.
“Yeah, I’m just glad they said funny and not funny looking, to be honest with you,” said Engbers.
Principal Lancto telling 13 ON YOUR SIDE, “He deserves every bit of recognition. He’s done fantastic things for students over the years here at Grandville High School and dedicated his whole career to this high school.”
He’s in his 28th year of teaching, and said it’s “A great job for just connecting with young people and trying to help them through a fun time in life.”
“Being energetic and trying to connect with students helps in the classroom to keep them engaged even when they don’t enjoy the content of what you’re teaching,” said Engbers. “Just chit chat about how their day is going and tell them stupid dad jokes and either see them laugh or, ‘that was horrible.’”
Those dad jokes clearly landing well.
“I really appreciate that you guys are doing this for our educators in West Michigan because they have done a fantastic job of helping our students,” said Lancto.
Engbers said, “This is a job that can sometimes take a lot out of you emotionally but it’s well worth it in the end. So, stopping and just hearing somebody say thank you to you means a lot.”
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.