Benjamin Straka, one of the biology and astronomy teachers, was nominated by a student and selected to be a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction over the summer. 

Straka has been in the Stillwater School District for a long time, spanning 19 years. Before he moved up to the high school, he taught earth science, physical science, food science and life science to middle school students at Oak-land Junior High. 

He wanted to be a teacher even during his childhood. He was “the bossiest kid in the neighborhood,” playing teacher with all of the other neighborhood kids.

“It was kind of the first step into, ‘hey, I really like doing this and being a part of something that I can see myself doing in the future,’” Straka explained. 

An inspiring memory that sticks out to him is when he went to his middle school open house for the first time. 

“I was really nervous going into middle school,” Straka said. “I vividly remember going to open house night with my mom and coming up to the biology room. And she said, ‘This used to be my favorite class when I was in middle school,’ just trying to calm my fears.” He went on, “It always stuck with me that I could be a really good biology teacher and it would make my mom happy and honor her time when she was just trying to calm me down.”

After his many years of teaching, Straka has many students who really admire him, including senior Sydney Rodd, who was the student to nominate him for the award. She took his astronomy class last school year and is currently his student assistant.

“He really helped me figure out what I wanted to do in college, because I walked into that class not knowing what to do because I switched out of ASL for astronomy and then about a month into class, I was like, I could be an aerospace engineer,” Rodd said. “I still want to go into engineering, maybe not aerospace engineering, but he really helped me figure out what I want to do.”

Another student positively impacted by him is junior Cameron Winters. He was not only Winter’s biology teacher last year, but he was his track coach as well. Whenever things were getting tough for Winters, whether it was sports or school, Straka was “always there to help and to understand.” 

Beyond these two students, there are dozens of others who have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Straka’s classes. With all the experience under his belt, he’s picked up many ways to connect with his students.

“It’s the little things,” Straka said. “It’s going around and making sure that every kid feels like they’re individually cared for in my class.”

“What I’ve decided to do throughout my career is to have those one on one conversations and try to make sure that kids know they can come in and learn from me or get any help they can at any time,” Straka added.

Straka reflected on his teaching strategy that helped contribute to his success as a teacher.

“You might not connect to every single teacher that you ever have, and that’s okay, you don’t connect with every human being in this world. It’s trying to make connections so it’s going to enlighten you and enrich you in different areas of your life.” Straka said. 

“Educators went into the field to try and make sure that everyone has a better life, so I hope that comes across.”

This story was originally published on The Pony Express on October 26, 2022.