Tobin Schultz, Teacher of Year Finalist: My primary responsibility is to create opportunities for students

Carl Junction High School business teacher and coach Tobin Schultz was honored October 22 as one of the regional finalists for Missouri Teacher of the Year.

Shelly Parks, an English teacher at Francis Howell High School, received the top honor.

In this Department of Elementary and Secondary Education video, Schultz, who formerly taught at Joplin High School,

"As a teacher," Schultz said, "my primary responsibility is to create opportunities for students and one of the best ways to do that is to help them build connections."

The students help keep the veteran teacher enthused.

"I'm energized by interacting with students," Schultz said.



At the Carl Junction and Joplin schools, Schultz had done that by involving students in community projects, some of which are noted in the video.