Print
Comment
Rate
BHS instructor's retirement brings end to Richards' family teaching legacy
 |
| Working: Math and science teacher Bob Richards is retiring at the end of the school year. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Between his mother, father and himself, Bob Richards' family has combined for more than 100 years of educating students in Benson.
Richards, a math and science teacher at Benson High School, is entering his final week in the classroom, deciding to finally retire after 34 years. Richards said he officially retired about three years ago, but with a love for the classroom, he continued teaching on contract for the school.
Twenty of his 34 years teaching have been in Benson. Prior to being hired at the high school, he taught math in Sierra Vista and Tombstone.
Richards said his mom, Christine, and dad, John, taught at Benson schools when he was a child, and when he graduated in 1967, he knew he would follow in their footsteps.
"I knew I was going to be a math teacher," he said. "I wasn't good in English, and I have always understood math. English was just a frightening subject to me."
Richards said after college he wanted to teach in Benson, but couldn't with his mom and dad still on the faculty. Instead, he started at Buena High School in Sierra Vista.
Besides math and physics, Richards was also the track coach, and found it was very hard to compete against his hometown.
Richards said there were two big reasons it was tough to compete against Benson. First, he said he had to compete against his old track coach Jerry Lee, and second, he was called a traitor on several occasions.
"Going against Coach Jerry Lee was tough, because he was my coach, but he was also good," Richards said.
Richards said he felt more at home once he began teaching in Benson.
Besides the high school, Richards also made his mark at Cochise Community College, where he has taught for the last 23 years.
Richards said many years ago, there was talk about the community college just having classes in Douglas and Sierra Vista. He and another instructor fought to keep a campus in Benson.
That work paid off, and Benson now has one of the newest college campuses with growing attendance.
"Mr. Richards has had a long career," said Bryan Bullington, Benson High School principal. "He made a commitment a long time ago to educate and help kids in any way he could. I would say he's had a long, successful career."
Richards said he is also proud of his work in Sierra Vista getting the YES fair going. The annual science fair started as just a local program, and is now sponsored by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Power Cooperative and hosted countywide.
Since entering the classroom as an instructor in the 1970s, Richards said plenty of things have changed, from how students learn and grow, to what districts and the state expects.
Richards said in college he was taught to teach the curriculum and not focus on test scores. With Arizona Instrument of Measuring Standards (AIMS) test introduced several years ago, Richards said frequently focus is on standardized test scores.
AIMS is a major factor in how schools are graded by the Arizona Department of Education.
The Benson native said he is proud of his service to the community, has enjoyed seeing students grow, especially in math and science, and feels like he is leaving a legacy at the high school, just like his mom and dad did so many years ago.
Between his mother, father and himself, Bob Richards' family has combined for more than 100 years of educating students in Benson.
Richards, a math and science teacher at Benson High School, is entering his final week in the classroom, deciding to finally retire after 34 years. Richards said he officially retired about three years ago, but with a love for the classroom, he continued teaching on contract for the school.
Twenty of his 34 years teaching have been in Benson. Prior to being hired at the high school, he taught math in Sierra Vista and Tombstone.
Richards said his mom, Christine, and dad, John, taught at Benson schools when he was a child, and when he graduated in 1967, he knew he would follow in their footsteps.
"I knew I was going to be a math teacher," he said. "I wasn't good in English, and I have always understood math. English was just a frightening subject to me."
Richards said after college he wanted to teach in Benson, but couldn't with his mom and dad still on the faculty. Instead, he started at Buena High School in Sierra Vista.
Besides math and physics, Richards was also the track coach, and found it was very hard to compete against his hometown.
Richards said there were two big reasons it was tough to compete against Benson. First, he said he had to compete against his old track coach Jerry Lee, and second, he was called a traitor on several occasions.
"Going against Coach Jerry Lee was tough, because he was my coach, but he was also good," Richards said.
Richards said he felt more at home once he began teaching in Benson.
Besides the high school, Richards also made his mark at Cochise Community College, where he has taught for the last 23 years.
Richards said many years ago, there was talk about the community college just having classes in Douglas and Sierra Vista. He and another instructor fought to keep a campus in Benson.
That work paid off, and Benson now has one of the newest college campuses with growing attendance.
"Mr. Richards has had a long career," said Bryan Bullington, Benson High School principal. "He made a commitment a long time ago to educate and help kids in any way he could. I would say he's had a long, successful career."
Richards said he is also proud of his work in Sierra Vista getting the YES fair going. The annual science fair started as just a local program, and is now sponsored by Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Power Cooperative and hosted countywide.
Since entering the classroom as an instructor in the 1970s, Richards said plenty of things have changed, from how students learn and grow, to what districts and the state expects.
Richards said in college he was taught to teach the curriculum and not focus on test scores. With Arizona Instrument of Measuring Standards (AIMS) test introduced several years ago, Richards said frequently focus is on standardized test scores.
AIMS is a major factor in how schools are graded by the Arizona Department of Education.
The Benson native said he is proud of his service to the community, has enjoyed seeing students grow, especially in math and science, and feels like he is leaving a legacy at the high school, just like his mom and dad did so many years ago.
 |
 |
|
| No. 1 in Arizona; Ryan state champ | St. David graduation Thursday night; Benson ceremonies set for next week |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
