Twelve Years a Slave | Teen Ink

Twelve Years a Slave

March 16, 2015
By Yellick SILVER, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Yellick SILVER, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
8 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
Never let school get in the way of your education.


After eleven years in school, I didn’t think my twelfth would be anything special.  After finding out I had AP European History first hour, I was a little hesitant as to how the year was going to turn out. But after meeting Mr. Reichle, my most rigorous class became my favorite.
Mr. Reichle had this glow about him that other teachers didn’t seem to possess.  Standing at 6’3”, he is the biggest child I have ever met.  Maybe it was his dancing hair, his boundless tie collection, or his crazy obsession with the Christmas Carol - Mr. Reichle stood out from the rest.
Sitting in his class was like watching a stand up comedian with historically accurate jokes.  He was able to combine his wittiness and enthusiasm for education to make an environment that students wanted to be in.  And he was never afraid to get off topic, because he would teach the class something worth learning anyway.  Whether it be a current event, tips for college, or relationship advice - Mr. Reichle was the guy to talk to.
At first I didn’t expect to excel in his class, but from simply listening to his riotous rants, I surpassed my expectations and learned more than I ever thought. With low ambition and a D to start the semester, I wasn’t too optimistic as to how my grades would look. But Mr. Reichle pushed me, and through his methods I was able to inch my grade up to a B at the semester. 
In Mr. Reichle’s class, everyone was so involved that it seemed we were having a conversation with someone who had all the answers.  The class just flowed and we talked about something new each day that we all understood.  The whole class was eager to be there.  I’ve never seen so many hands in the air with smiling faces underneath them - and rarely did I see a phone out.
Mr. Reichle could teach any class and I would be happy to take it.  Initially, I wasn’t even interested in European History but I was because he taught it.  My brother had taken the class three years earlier and he told me how much he enjoyed the teacher - his favorite teacher.  When he found out that I had Mr. Reichle, his face lit up like the fourth of July and he exclaimed, “He was my favorite teacher. You’re gonna love him!” 
After meeting Mr. Reichle, I agreed with my brother and he became my favorite teacher too.  After completing AP European History, I felt privileged to have taken the class and to have met Mr. Reichle - but I was anxious to leave because I knew I would never have as vivacious of a teacher. But I was alright - because after eleven long years in school, Mr. Reichle made the twelfth significantly better.



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