LSHS veteran teacher named outstanding
Washington Civic Educator

JOURNAL STAFF

Michael Hodgins earns student praise daily

“He makes you want to learn, to go to class everyday; there is less “busy work” and more engaged learning. We learn what he teaches.” That’s what Chloe Williams, senior in Michael Hodgins Contemporary American Issues class had to say about the teacher students have come to know simply as “Hodge.”

Mr. Hodgins, social studies teacher at Lake Stevens High School with 15 years of service, was selected as an outstanding Washington Civic Educator by the Washington State Senate.

He will be joined by Senator Steve Hobbs, Superintendent David Burgess, and Principal Ken Collins on February 21 at the State Capitol for an awards luncheon where he will be recognized and presented with a plaque.

Students throughout the class resonated similar accolades when asked what they liked about the way Hodge teaches.

Many commented on his open-mindedness and ability to listen, praise and give constructive criticism all in the course of a 55 minute class.
Students feel accepted and able to discuss issues without feeling intimidated.

They were quick to talk about his passion for teaching and his ability to connect to all students.

While the students enthusiastically respect their civics teacher, Hodge has equal reciprocal feelings, “I love what I do - I get to connect to kids every day, it is very cool. If I can just get students to meet me half way, to engage them in the subject, I can make up the other half. When that happens, it is the best job in the world.”

Principal Ken Collins in his nomination of Mr. Hodgins stated, “Students in Mike’s class will have their limits stretched as rigor is extremely high and students are motivated to reach higher. They are forced to think critically about the world that they live in and about the kind of world they would like to live in when they are the decision makers.”

Mr. Hodgins teaches five periods of Contemporary World Issues or American Issues to seniors during the course of a day reaching a total 153 young adults who will be all the wiser for have spent the time in Hodge’s classroom, portable number six.

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