thedrifter
05-01-06, 04:30 AM
Day teacher honored by Troops to Teacher program
By: CRAIG SHULTZ - Staff Writer
TEMECULA ---- What's tougher, a platoon of Marines or a class of middle school math students? Robert Huish has faced both and said they are essentially the same.
Huish, a sixth-grade teacher at James L. Day Middle School, was set to be honored Saturday as part of the California Troops for Teachers program. He was one of three finalists in the middle school division.
Troops for Teachers helps retiring military personnel get into teaching as a second career.
Huish, 47, spent 22 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a master sergeant in July 1999. He began teaching at Nicolas Valley Elementary in Temecula the next month and has been at Day since 2001.
Huish said teaching children isn't a whole lot different than instructing Marines.
"There are different approaches to teaching," he said. "A lot (of teachers) see 34 individuals, others see 34 students who have 34 minds. I take an approach like I did in the Marine Corps, there are 34 hearts I have to reach. If I can touch the heart and soul of students, (I can) make them learn.
"The things I learned in the Marine Corps is working with people. It's the same with students. If you respect them they respect you."
Huish credits the Marines for giving him maturity and experience.
"I tried to get people motivated in the Marine Corps (and it's) something I do in the classroom," he said. "Be self-motivated, want to learn. I learned that in the Marine Corps."
Huish has simple rules for his students: Be courteous to others, do the best you can at all times and be prepared to work.
But his classroom isn't like a boot camp. The students have fun while learning.
"As an ex-Marine, you would think he has a tough persona. Robert is nowhere close to that," Day Principal Greg Cooke said. "He's very caring and compassionate. He's a natural leader."
He is currently using a baseball fantasy league to help students learn math. They may think they are just playing, but Huish knows they are learning by figuring batting averages and probabilities of success as they try to select the best team possible.
Huish joined the Marines on his 18th birthday in December 1977 and entered the Marines in June 1978. His service took him around the world, including 10 months in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.
While in the Marines, Huish earned his bachelor's and master's degrees with a eye toward a career in business.
"I saw a flier for Troops for Teachers, did some (substitute teaching) and liked it, so I decided to continue doing service to the community by teaching," Huish said.
Huish was last stationed at Camp Pendleton, which is how he found Temecula. He teaches math and language arts at the school. Last year he taught science.
He is also working on a second master's in school administration.
When he's not teaching or studying, he coaches the freshman softball team at Chaparral High School, teaches English-language learners, works with students with learning disabilities and mentors new teachers.
"Robert is one of the most accommodating people I've ever met," Cooke said. "He'll do whatever you ask him to do."
There is a frame with a picture of a uniformed Huish and some of his honors on a wall in the classroom and he lets his students know he served his country.
"Trust me, they know how proud I am to be a Marine," Huish said.
Because of his experiences, he has counseled students who have a parent serving in Iraq, recalling the experience of his family when he was in the first Gulf War.
"When I was gone, two of my kids were in their shoes," he said. "I can relate to them very easy."
Huish and his wife of 28 years, Nancy, have three daughters and one grandson.
After Huish was nominated for the award, Cooke wrote a letter of reference. That was followed by interviews and more reference letters.
"I was ecstatic," Huish said of his reaction to being selected. "I work hard, like most teachers. I really enjoy doing this, but I always wonder, am I doing the right things? Am I doing a good job? This gives me self-satisfaction."
"(Teachers) don't get a lot of positive recognition," Cooke said. "These are the kind of things that make our day. It's a validation for all his efforts and the hard work he does for his kids."
Ellie
By: CRAIG SHULTZ - Staff Writer
TEMECULA ---- What's tougher, a platoon of Marines or a class of middle school math students? Robert Huish has faced both and said they are essentially the same.
Huish, a sixth-grade teacher at James L. Day Middle School, was set to be honored Saturday as part of the California Troops for Teachers program. He was one of three finalists in the middle school division.
Troops for Teachers helps retiring military personnel get into teaching as a second career.
Huish, 47, spent 22 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a master sergeant in July 1999. He began teaching at Nicolas Valley Elementary in Temecula the next month and has been at Day since 2001.
Huish said teaching children isn't a whole lot different than instructing Marines.
"There are different approaches to teaching," he said. "A lot (of teachers) see 34 individuals, others see 34 students who have 34 minds. I take an approach like I did in the Marine Corps, there are 34 hearts I have to reach. If I can touch the heart and soul of students, (I can) make them learn.
"The things I learned in the Marine Corps is working with people. It's the same with students. If you respect them they respect you."
Huish credits the Marines for giving him maturity and experience.
"I tried to get people motivated in the Marine Corps (and it's) something I do in the classroom," he said. "Be self-motivated, want to learn. I learned that in the Marine Corps."
Huish has simple rules for his students: Be courteous to others, do the best you can at all times and be prepared to work.
But his classroom isn't like a boot camp. The students have fun while learning.
"As an ex-Marine, you would think he has a tough persona. Robert is nowhere close to that," Day Principal Greg Cooke said. "He's very caring and compassionate. He's a natural leader."
He is currently using a baseball fantasy league to help students learn math. They may think they are just playing, but Huish knows they are learning by figuring batting averages and probabilities of success as they try to select the best team possible.
Huish joined the Marines on his 18th birthday in December 1977 and entered the Marines in June 1978. His service took him around the world, including 10 months in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.
While in the Marines, Huish earned his bachelor's and master's degrees with a eye toward a career in business.
"I saw a flier for Troops for Teachers, did some (substitute teaching) and liked it, so I decided to continue doing service to the community by teaching," Huish said.
Huish was last stationed at Camp Pendleton, which is how he found Temecula. He teaches math and language arts at the school. Last year he taught science.
He is also working on a second master's in school administration.
When he's not teaching or studying, he coaches the freshman softball team at Chaparral High School, teaches English-language learners, works with students with learning disabilities and mentors new teachers.
"Robert is one of the most accommodating people I've ever met," Cooke said. "He'll do whatever you ask him to do."
There is a frame with a picture of a uniformed Huish and some of his honors on a wall in the classroom and he lets his students know he served his country.
"Trust me, they know how proud I am to be a Marine," Huish said.
Because of his experiences, he has counseled students who have a parent serving in Iraq, recalling the experience of his family when he was in the first Gulf War.
"When I was gone, two of my kids were in their shoes," he said. "I can relate to them very easy."
Huish and his wife of 28 years, Nancy, have three daughters and one grandson.
After Huish was nominated for the award, Cooke wrote a letter of reference. That was followed by interviews and more reference letters.
"I was ecstatic," Huish said of his reaction to being selected. "I work hard, like most teachers. I really enjoy doing this, but I always wonder, am I doing the right things? Am I doing a good job? This gives me self-satisfaction."
"(Teachers) don't get a lot of positive recognition," Cooke said. "These are the kind of things that make our day. It's a validation for all his efforts and the hard work he does for his kids."
Ellie