Teachers often have unpredictable days while at work, those very unpredictable moments can sporadically shape their lives. Three teachers share their most memorable experiences and between 40 combined years of teaching at Stillwater Area High School, there are a lot of stories to tell.

There is never a dull moment while at work as a teacher. Something is bound to happen every day that is out of the ordinary or unforgettable. Whether it is beating Hill-Murray in double overtime and having the hockey team go to state, saving a student’s life, or getting the job in a very unexpected way, teaching provides a lot of different experiences.

Pete Hamilton is a math teacher and assistant hockey coach, his most memorable event was beating Hill-Murray in double overtime and going to state.

“It just came down to the wire there was like 6,000-7,000 people there,” Hamilton said.

Having so much support from a public school that he and his family members are greatly involved in, made the game very special to Hamilton.

“I really dislike private schools. I am a really big believer in public education. I don’t feel like private schools play by the same rules,” Hamilton explained.

The game was so close that everyone was on the edges of their seats the entire time, and all that Hamilton wanted was to beat his all-time rival. Luckily, Stillwater pulled through during overtime beating Hill-Murray and moving on to state which was a very positive experience for Hamilton.

English teacher Kim Thompson’s most memorable moment involved saving a student’s life. Thompson gave the student hope and made her feel like she had a purpose in life.

“[A student] came back to me after two years. She said she only came to schools because I had her sixth hour. She wanted me to know I kept her from suicide,” Thompson said.

This significant incident changed Thompson, she now tries to make a deeper connection with students. “I felt a force to commit to the quiet kids,” Thompson said.

Ever since that day, she has connected with the quiet kids and still continues to form a unique bond with the shy kids.

Science teacher Doug Long said his most memorable moment is a somber story about he got his job. In 1991, Long got a job as a teacher aid at Stillwater. Soon after he got his job he got a phone call from the principal saying “you will be teaching until further notice.”  Later that day, Long found out the teacher he would be filling in for had died.

“The teacher was putting up a weather station at Stillwater Jr. High and the teacher fell off the roof from three stories and died,” Long explained.

Ever since that day Long feels like he has big shoes to fill because the teacher was a great guy. The teacher was very well liked by his students and staff, and many people looked up to him.

Often times, when teachers go to work their day is going to have something unexpected happen. By having such an unpredictable job they can not help but form some of the most memorable memories in their life while teaching. They all commented on how much they enjoy seeing past students years later. 

“The memorable moments are when I see [past students]. You can see the physical imprint you had the kids year later,” Hamilton said.