DENVER - Mr. Michael Hoops knows context is the key for his students at Eaglecrest High School to build a geologic timeline. He also knows context is the key in helping to understand and support their lives outside of class.
"What is super important is that I understand where they are coming from, and it explains a lot when I see what I see in the classroom," Mr. Hoops.
The students he works with go through a lot. They face a lot of challenging personal circumstances.
Mr. Hoops makes his way around the classroom during lessons that are always interactive. As they talk about pre-historic times, they also talk about their lives now. The students say it helps a lot to have someone who cares.
Mr. Hoops sees their struggles because he is always looking to help.
"It is important for them to understand that I am on their side," Mr. Hoops said.
They do.
"He's like family," is how one student described him. "He helps me connect more and if you connect more you learn more easily."
Mr. Hoops says his kids really get his philosophy as a teacher.
"I have high expectations," Mr Hoops said. "There is rigor in my room, but they know I would do a lot for them too."
School administrators say Mr. Hoops builds community. He doesn't only do it in class. He has been a volunteer at The Conflict Center in Denver for many years. TCC teaches practical social and emotional skills to prevent violence. It teaches problem solving.
Mr. Hoops has served on the Board of Directors.
"Mike and his wife, Katy, are fully committed to building a solid civil society for their two children and all the children in that generation," Executive Director Ron Ludwig said.
(KUSA-TV © 2015 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)
