Lehman High School history teacher Brian Hempel has been honored with the 2011 Citizenship Educator Award by Veterans of Foreign War Post 12058. Hempel was announced as the award-winner and recognized at this year’s Lehman High School Veterans Day ceremony. Seen enjoying the moment are (left to right) Hempel, VFW Post 12058 Adjutant David Lyle and Lobo Principal Don Ruisinger. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by CONNIE ROSALES
Spend a few minutes in the classroom of Brian Hempel and you’ll immediately be taken in by his passion for teaching U.S. History! Coach Hempel has a strong desire to teach students to respect America’s history and he teaches with a sincere, heartfelt emphasis on the people who have formed America into what it is today. He greatly appreciates the roles that veterans had in forming our history and he works hard to enforce this same feeling with his students.
Every year at our Veteran’s Day program I thank him for going above and beyond with his students by teaching them patriotism and respect for our veterans and our country. He humbly replies, “We should all respect them and thank them, not just today but every day. If I could, I would use my time to serve our veterans for all they have done for us.” That’s a strong statement, but typical of Coach Hempel’s philosophy.
Coach Hempel has special projects at this time of the year aimed at furthering his student’s knowledge and appreciation of patriotism. His students are participating in the “A Million Thanks” campaign, writing letters to the troops. He teaches his students the reality of what troops and veterans have endured, both on the battlefield and when they return. He teaches the important roles our troops have in our lives, past and present. He teaches students that military soldiers do not sign up for duty for the pay, but because of their love and pride for our country.
Coach Hempel has also arranged for a current service member to visit his classes and talk with the students about the true history of the veterans. He feels the students will gain more knowledge and respect hearing it first-hand.
He is one of the most successful teachers on campus. As proof of his teaching success, his students have had 100 percent passing rates on exit level History TAKS tests the past two years. Coach Hempel is a mentor to the new teachers on campus. He shares his resources and spreads his passion for teaching history and citizenship.
(Editor’s note: Lehman High School history teacher Brian Hempel was honored recently with this year’s local Veterans of Foreign Wars Citizenship Educator/Teacher Award. Connie Rosales, who serves as secretary to Lobo Principal Don Ruisinger, wrote Hempel’s nomination letter which appears above.)
