Post by Todd B on Oct 16, 2008 13:59:15 GMT -5
Article published at MonroeNews.com on Oct 16, 2008
Ida teacher living in history
IDA - Jeremy Potter doesn't just teach history, he lives it every day.
The Ida Middle School teacher and history enthusiast lives in an old, one-room schoolhouse on Ida West Rd. just outside of town. Opened in 1872, the brick building once was the academic home to hundreds of local children, including Mr. Potter's grandfather and other relatives.
Although it was remodeled into a home with several rooms in 1950, the building still looks like an old schoolhouse. And not just because the original heavy black bell sits off to the side of the home.
"It's a piece of history," Mr. Potter, 34, said. "You can almost see the kids in here. You can almost get an image in your head."
Because of his love of history and the passion he demonstrates when teaching it to his students, Mr. Potter was chosen as this year's Custer Week Teacher of the Year.
"I was surprised," he said. "It's a great honor. It's validation. I feel what I do is important."
Nominated by several local residents and students, Mr. Potter was selected for his work in creating a popular history class and conducting public tours of historical sites in his hometown.
Dale Zorn, an Ida businessman, singled out Mr. Potter. Mr. Zorn said he was impressed with the history tour that included middle school students playing roles of settlers while dressed in early era costumes.
"As a lifelong member of the Ida community, I was totally impressed by the knowledge these students have and their excitement of their local history," Mr. Zorn said in his nomination.
Fellow teacher Doug Lovell also nominated Mr. Potter for his dedication to preserving Ida's history and teaching about it.
"I have never seen anyone more enthusiastic about local history than Jeremy," Mr. Lovell wrote in his nomination for Monroe County's history teacher of the year. "Jeremy is a unique individual when it comes to his enthusiasm with local history."
Mr. Potter took that passion an extra step about four years ago when he bought and moved into the old schoolhouse.
Written in a concrete pad above the door are the words "Fractured District, No. 11, Dundee & Ida, 1872." It signifies that students from both Ida and Dundee could attend class there. In fact, the schoolhouse is part of the old town of Federman where students in K-8 attended class there until 1946. After that, only one grade was taught.
On several of the red bricks are initials of students who probably left their marks during the last day ever of class. And around the back are the outhouses. One is still standing but only the foundation remains of the other. Two holes have been converted into flower pot holders.
Inside, the old schoolhouse has been converted into a cozy home. There are dark circular marks on the original maple floor where the old desks were bolted down. A black oil stain shows where the old heating stove used to sit.
Those are markings from the past that Mr. Potter enjoys pointing out. He has handwritten ledgers and original enrollment records. The house is a chance for him to connect with his grandfather, Walt Sagan, and other aunts and uncles who sat in his home to learn the three R's.
In 2001, he began the Backyard History Club, a popular elective class. A 1998 graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mr. Potter has been teaching at the middle school for 10 years.
And he always tries to convey the importance of local history to his seventh- and eighth-graders.
"The town is our classroom," Mr. Potter said. "And that's a cool thing."
Ida teacher living in history
IDA - Jeremy Potter doesn't just teach history, he lives it every day.
The Ida Middle School teacher and history enthusiast lives in an old, one-room schoolhouse on Ida West Rd. just outside of town. Opened in 1872, the brick building once was the academic home to hundreds of local children, including Mr. Potter's grandfather and other relatives.
Although it was remodeled into a home with several rooms in 1950, the building still looks like an old schoolhouse. And not just because the original heavy black bell sits off to the side of the home.
"It's a piece of history," Mr. Potter, 34, said. "You can almost see the kids in here. You can almost get an image in your head."
Because of his love of history and the passion he demonstrates when teaching it to his students, Mr. Potter was chosen as this year's Custer Week Teacher of the Year.
"I was surprised," he said. "It's a great honor. It's validation. I feel what I do is important."
Nominated by several local residents and students, Mr. Potter was selected for his work in creating a popular history class and conducting public tours of historical sites in his hometown.
Dale Zorn, an Ida businessman, singled out Mr. Potter. Mr. Zorn said he was impressed with the history tour that included middle school students playing roles of settlers while dressed in early era costumes.
"As a lifelong member of the Ida community, I was totally impressed by the knowledge these students have and their excitement of their local history," Mr. Zorn said in his nomination.
Fellow teacher Doug Lovell also nominated Mr. Potter for his dedication to preserving Ida's history and teaching about it.
"I have never seen anyone more enthusiastic about local history than Jeremy," Mr. Lovell wrote in his nomination for Monroe County's history teacher of the year. "Jeremy is a unique individual when it comes to his enthusiasm with local history."
Mr. Potter took that passion an extra step about four years ago when he bought and moved into the old schoolhouse.
Written in a concrete pad above the door are the words "Fractured District, No. 11, Dundee & Ida, 1872." It signifies that students from both Ida and Dundee could attend class there. In fact, the schoolhouse is part of the old town of Federman where students in K-8 attended class there until 1946. After that, only one grade was taught.
On several of the red bricks are initials of students who probably left their marks during the last day ever of class. And around the back are the outhouses. One is still standing but only the foundation remains of the other. Two holes have been converted into flower pot holders.
Inside, the old schoolhouse has been converted into a cozy home. There are dark circular marks on the original maple floor where the old desks were bolted down. A black oil stain shows where the old heating stove used to sit.
Those are markings from the past that Mr. Potter enjoys pointing out. He has handwritten ledgers and original enrollment records. The house is a chance for him to connect with his grandfather, Walt Sagan, and other aunts and uncles who sat in his home to learn the three R's.
In 2001, he began the Backyard History Club, a popular elective class. A 1998 graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mr. Potter has been teaching at the middle school for 10 years.
And he always tries to convey the importance of local history to his seventh- and eighth-graders.
"The town is our classroom," Mr. Potter said. "And that's a cool thing."