Educators are perhaps the greatest population of unsung heroes in Berrien and Cass County. This school year, Leader Publications will publish a weekly spotlight featuring teachers throughout the district, giving the community a chance to get to know the hard-working individuals shaping their children’s lives. Throughout the next school year, their answers will be published in the newspaper that serves each school district.

Name: Dan Schuchardt 

School: Dowagiac Middle School

Grade(s)/subject(s) taught: Seventh and eighth grade science

Where did you attend college? Michigan State University

How many years have you been teaching? How many years have you been with your current school? Nine years total; seven in Dowagiac.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I enjoyed science all through high school and come from a family of teachers. It just felt right.

Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Golfing, hiking, traveling, watching sports and Netflix.

What is one thing your students may not know about you? I would rather have a bag of Doritos to eat than a bowl of ice cream.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? John Creasy, he stands up for what is right.

When you were a student in the grade you teach, what were your favorite hobbies? When I was in middle school, all I wanted to do was play basketball during lunch and listen to my anti-skip CD player.

How would your co-workers describe your teaching style and personality? Hands on science with group work.

Who is your biggest role model and why? Grandpop Lee Schuchardt. He helped work and develop the pertussis vaccine while working as a chemist which has now been given to thousands of people every year.

How has education changed in the last 10 years? I see technology everywhere, and there are computers for everyone.

What is your best advice to parents to help their child continue growing academically? Read, read, read. Then when you are done, read some more.

If my students learn one thing this year, I hope it is… To understand the difference of just being at school vs. the ability to participate in school.