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: Bob Turner

School: Dowagiac Middle School

Grades/subjects taught: Sixth and seventh grade math

Where did you attend college? Western Michigan University

How many years have you been teaching? How many years have you been with your current school? This is my seventh year, all at Dowagiac Middle School.

Why did you decide to become a teacher? To be a positive influence to the children of Dowagiac.

Outside of school, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Golf with my family and friends.

What is one thing your students may not know about you? My wife and both children teach for Dowagiac Schools also.

When you were a student in the grade you teach, what were your favorite hobbies? Baseball, football, basketball, riding my bike, fishing and I was just learning to golf.

How would your co-workers describe your teaching style and personality? Straight forward, relates well to the students, and he tries to keep co-workers on their toes.

Who is your biggest role model and why? I don’t have just one role model. I live and work with some wonderful educators, and I like to watch them and talk to them and take the things that I see them do well and try to do some of the same things.

How has education changed in the last 10 years? Education is a never-ending challenge. The challenges change some from year to year but the goal stays the same. Try as hard as we can to help the students become the best they can be.

What is your best advice to parents to help their child continue growing academically? Show an interest in what they are doing and read to them when they are young.

If my students learn one thing this year, I hope it is … A positive attitude is the first step to success.