While we are celebrating Chris’ big win in Ohio, we have reason to celebrate more happy news from Ohio. Jeff Brickler has been refreshingly transparent and very honest with us this year in sharing what he has been experiencing, as he has taken a lot of hits, to put it mildly. So, enjoy reading this recent letter from one of Jeff’s students to the administration of his school:
Dear Administration of Turpin High School,
I understand that Mr. Brickler and the Latin program in general have taken a lot of heat lately from students complaining about grades, Mr. Brickler’s teaching methods, and Mr. Brickler himself. Although I am aware I am in no way a model student, or the perfect kid, I would like to inform you that these complaints are completely nonsensical and irrational. The students who have complained do indeed get penalized in class, but for good reason. We can all accept that talking while a teacher is trying to teach is unacceptable to say the least, and the students who complain do nothing but talk all through class. The way Mr. Brickler teaches needs us to pay attention (as with any teacher) as well as be involved in the class. This means listening to what he says and responding to his questions. We lose points and get a worse grade if we refuse to do this. Personally, that makes perfect sense. I feel that losing a few points isn’t a harsh enough punishment if anything. These students are disruptive to the class, and Mr. Brickler gives them warnings before he takes action.
Now to respond to complaints against his teaching methods. I can accept that his methods are different, but they are perfect for what he has to teach. I have learned more in his class in the last 7 months, than I have in all my math classes from the last 4 years put together. If I were capable of continuing the class past graduation, I would love to because I feel that if I could take it for 2-3 more years, I would be fluent in the language. He also keeps the class interesting with the way he teaches, and it isn’t difficult. We don’t have homework, and we don’t have huge vocabulary test, we just have to tell stories with him in Latin. As an administrator, this may not be the best thing for me to say, but I hate homework, and if you look at my grades in the past, you can tell I do bad in classes specifically because of homework. Now that I have said that, I would like to mention that if I were given a Latin test right now, I would put money on me getting an A on it, every quiz we have, I get 100%. With the way he teaches, I was able to to learn how to count to 100 in 2 days. If he isn’t teaching the language the right way, there is no right way to teach it.
Finally, I would like to talk about Mr. Brickler as a person. He is one of the nicest teachers I have ever had. I could be having the worst day, but I still look forward to walking into his class and being able to discuss Roman history. He is always able to put a smile on my face, and he can always keep me interested. With these feelings, I know I am not alone. I have met many people in Latin that feel the same way that I do. To students who say he is mean to them, I can promise you as a student, he is not. When a student is being a distraction, he will call them out, but he isn’t mean at all. The worst thing I have heard him say to anyone is “Please quit talking or I will have to send you to the office.”
I would like to mention that Mr. Brickler had nothing to do with me writing this letter, nor does he know I am writing it. I actually heard about the complaints from students in class bragging about how they were going to get him in trouble/fired. I hope that what they are saying is just big talk from “super scary and powerful freshmen,” but I fear it is not. Please do not consider what these students are saying to be fact, for it is all biased and, for a lack of better words, bullshit. Mr. Brickler does not deserve this sort of criticism. I can assure how good he is as a teacher. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to respond, and I’ll do my best to answer any questions there are.
Ipsa scientia potestas et veritas liberabit vos (Knowledge itself is power and the truth will set you free)
Gabe Newhall – fallaces sunt rerum species