Mr. Belcher, a man with many roles before teaching at Brunswick High School, has added another accolade to his many roles.
Mr. Belcher goes above and beyond not because he has to, but because he truly cares that his students feel heard and supported, not just in their classes but in life in general. Nobody deserves this award more than him. Recently, I was asked if I would be interested in writing a piece about Mr. Belcher as a teacher, and I automatically said yes, without hesitation. Although to so many, including myself, he is more than just a phenomenal teacher—he is a mentor, a friend, and an overall positive role model.
As a teacher, he shows up to the Digital Learning Lab and helps instruct students in their online courses. His dedication to guiding his students through their academic journeys is much needed and appreciated. As a mentor, he gives advice, shares life lessons that he has learned over the years, and provides wise words of wisdom. As a friend, he is caring and forms positive connections with all of his students to ensure we feel supported. As a role model, one of the biggest life lessons he has taught me is to always find the good in the worst situations.
I asked Mr. Belcher today to randomly describe himself, and he said, “Fat, White, and Old.” I then specified that he describes how he is as a person internally. He replied, “Honest, Compassionate, and Flawed.” I was unsure what he meant by “flawed,” and he began to explain how he isn’t perfect and can always work to better himself. Mr. Belcher works two jobs while balancing college classes and is very dedicated to his fitness/health journey. He wakes up at 3:00 a.m. every morning and goes to the gym. I am including this information about him even though it has nothing to do with his teaching because it shows his dedication and hard working character. He promotes students to also become the best version of themselves and be positive.
Additionally, every single day, Mr. Belcher takes the time to have individualized conversations with each of his students about how their day is going. Every Friday, he asks about our weekend plans, and every Monday, he checks in to see how our weekend went. It is the little things that he does that make him stand out from other teachers. His classroom is a safe, welcoming place for everyone, not just the students who are enrolled in his classes. He has mints and water bottles that he buys with his own money for anyone to have.
These testimonials from his students help to illustrate Mr. Belcher’s character and ability to connect with and inspire those around him. Being in his presence tends to boost students’ and teachers’ moods. Whether Mr. Belcher is joking around, helping students with assignments, giving health facts, or sharing insane stories, he’s always able to keep things lively and engaging, making every class one to look forward to.