Edmond Memorial High School teacher and graduate of Oklahoma Christian University Heath Steele does it all. Steele teaches AP World History: Modern and AP European History, coaches boys golf and sponsors Chess Club and Young Independents Club. After being involved in so much of the student life at EMHS, he has left an immense impact on so many students.
Junior Megan Roberts, who took Steele’s AP European History class, has experienced this firsthand. For her, Steele emphasized more than just AP scores in his class.
“He truly wanted to see the success in the individual, not just overall [AP test scores],” Roberts said. “He wanted to pour into the person. I really liked being seen that way, and it made me feel more involved and more appreciated in the classroom setting. It made me want to get up in the morning.”
Steele is passionate about his job, seeking to leave an impact on the students the way his own teachers did. Steele cites his teachers as a reason to become a teacher himself and look after his students.
“I became a teacher because I had a lot of really good influences when I was in high school and middle school, [specifically] with history…[and] that [was something] I was interested in,” Steele said. “I really enjoyed learning new things. I enjoy helping others learn new things, doing something that they didn’t really think they could do before and really seeing the journey they go on throughout the year.”
While being supportive and providing a welcoming environment to his students, Steele is also determined to help them excel in his class. His AP classes have the purpose of preparing students for the AP tests in May, and many people in his classes can tell that is what he wants to do. Sophomore Olivia Jones, a student currently in one of Steele’s AP World classes, notes this.
“His class is amazing,” Jones said. “I feel like I really understand what is happening and I feel like I am going to be prepared for the AP exam.”
Steele has left an impression on his students by guiding them through coursework and even everyday stress. His students notice that he seeks to benefit them in every way he possibly can.
“I would always recommend taking one of his classes,” Roberts said. “He is very helpful, he tries to make his classroom a very welcoming space and [that] shows through in everyone’s positive attitudes toward the class…I was extremely nervous for the AP test, but with the mock exam he helps walk you through it and you get an actual feel for [it]. I feel like that has really helped set me up for other AP classes as well.”
It is clear that even if history is not a student’s best subject, it is obvious to many that Steele desires for each student to learn as much as they can in his class. Steele is someone that many students recognize as a teacher who they can go to for anything and is always willing to be there for and help his students.
Contact Esther Wood at [email protected]
