By Christopher Loring
Mr. Jeffrey Farrell is a Chemistry teacher at Lansing School District’s J.W. Sexton High School
LORING: Why did you become a teacher?
MR. FARELL: When was a student I had some teachers who were very helpful to me. It showed me that a good teacher could make a big difference in a student’s lives. I wanted to try to do that too.
LORING: Throughout your years as a teacher, do you think that you have impacted any of your students and in what way?
MR. FARELL: Well I certainly hope that I’ve impacted my students in a way that leads them to be more successful but it's up to them to decide what that means. Success doesn’t have the same meaning for everyone.
LORING: Have any of your students impacted you?
MR. FARELL: Definitely, I like to think all of my students have some impact on me. You just can't help it when you interact with people over a long period of time. I know many students have helped me to think from a different perspective and that's very valuable.
LORING: What is your biggest fear as a teacher?
MR. FARELL: My biggest fear as a teacher is that my students won't learn anything and won't develop into successful young men and women.
LORING: Do you think any of your students appreciate you?
MR. FARELL: I would like to hope so, I know there are probably some who don't but I think there are many who do.
LORING: If you could do it over would you still become a teacher?
MR. FARELL: Yes I would, although there are certainly days where I wonder why I have this job. However, I have many more days where I am thankful to have this opportunity.
LORING: Okay, last question, what do you want to be when you get older?
MR. FARELL: What do I want to be when I get older?
LORING: Yeah?
MR. FARELL: Be happy and then eventually dead.
Christopher Loring is a 10th grader at Lansing School District’s J.W. Sexton High School where he is a member of the band. He is also in the Upward Bound program at Michigan State University. He is an intern at The New Citizens Press.
