The clock reads 1 a.m. While others may be sleeping or relaxing on a Saturday night, Communication Applications and Debate teacher Howard Ritz sits with his debate students at a tournament, anxiously awaiting the final results of the night. Mr. Ritz sacrifices nearly every Saturday during debate season to be with his students, even if it lasts throughout the night. The dedication he has for his students and their success accounts for one of the numerous reasons that Mr. Ritz has been chosen as Legacy’s “Teacher of the Year”.
“I stop and think and look at other teachers who are great with all their achievements, and then they pick me,” Mr. Ritz said. “They must value crazy. I’m humbled.”
For Mr. Ritz, the honor adds on to his abounding number of recognition awards. He has been acknowledged by a countless number of organizations as an outstanding teacher. In 2002, he was awarded with a Certification of Achievement Teacher of the Month from the Rotary Club. During the 2004/05 school year, he was awarded by the Association of Professional Educators Region XI as Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mr. Ritz was also recognized by Burleson Independent School District as Teacher of the Year in 2007.
“Being recognized by all these awards is not what motivates me. I believe teaching holds its own reward, ” Mr. Ritz said. “But I feel grateful that I’m recognized for something I love to do.”
At the beginning of each year, Mr. Ritz distributes his personal cell phone number and email address to each student in case there are any emergencies and to establish a sense of having a teacher that cares and supports them. He puts his personal life aside and arrives early to school and leaves late to accommodate any of his students needs, whether it be tutoring or simply needing someone to talk to.
“I consider him more than just a teacher. He’s more of my best friend,” sophomore Devyn Hinds said. “He gives me really good advice and he cares a lot about me and his other students.”
Mr. Ritz’s classroom environment, known to be “fun”, “animated” and “loud”, arose from his distinct teaching style. He demonstrates learning objectives in a visual manner, which leaves many students with a lasting impression of the lesson. Mr. Ritz strives to create an atmosphere of what he calls an “emotionally safe environment” for his students which allows them to engage more and take risks to taste the possibilities that each learning experience offers them.
“I make myself loud and obnoxious and make sure I get attention,” Mr. Ritz said. “I want to encourage and inspire other young people”
Mr. Ritz’s dedication for teaching stems from his failures and feeling he was not capable of successful when he was growing up. He uses this as driving force in his teaching and results in an outpour of adoration, devotion, and passion that fills each and every one of his students.
“I absolutely love my students,” Mr. Ritz said. “Though they may never return to thank me, I’m confident that my success is not measured by how much much water is in my own well of knowledge but in how often my students drink from their own cisterns.”
