By Niall G. Clancy, Hamilton MT and Logan UT
As I wrap up a master’s degree in ecology, I’ve had time to look back on all the teachers I’ve had over my 19 years of schooling. There have been many fantastic teachers and professors who have impacted the way I think, view the world, and conduct myself. One I consider to have influenced me the most is Tom Schmit.
Mr. Schmit retired this June after a long career as Hamilton High School’s biology teacher. During my years at Hamilton High (2009-2013), I had classes from Mr. Schmit all four years. Those classes shaped my interests and left me with a sense of wonder about living things that remains to this day. Through his gentle manner, intuitive presentation style, and deep care for the students, Mr. Schmit makes difficult concepts easy to understand while simultaneously showing students that there are great discoveries yet to be made and that they can be the person to make those discoveries.
Along with Ms. Antoniolli, Mr. Schmit’s mentoring of the HHS Science Club, Envirothon, and Science Olympiad, has provided countless interested students with the opportunity to delve deeper into the aspects of science they find most interesting – all while creating a fun and light-hearted atmosphere in which students thrive. The recent successes of Science Olympiad and Envirothon teams at state competitions are due in no small part to their dedication.
I hope those of us who have had the pleasure to learn from Mr. Schmit are able to spread the enthusiasm for science that he instilled within us with a fraction of the grace and skill he has for all these years. With gratitude, I give a heart-felt congratulations to the best teacher I’ve ever had.