Jeff Chronister, U.S. history teacher and boys’ basketball coach, has been selected to be Sallisaw High Schools’ Teacher of the Year and Sallisaw Public Schools District Teacher of the Year.

Upon receiving the honor Chronister said, “I am honored. There are many deserving faculty members in this school. It is also an honor to be in the same company as previous winners.”

Chronister has been teaching for 20 years, in many different places and many schools, he said. Chronister said he liked his students working together as a big group.

Many surveys have shown students tend to agree that they are more likely to remember material if it is presented with humor, and students are more likely to attend class in which humor is used. Chronister uses his own sense of humor to keep students active in class and help them see that learning can be fun and enjoyable.

He said, “I come to school every day and attempt to make it as intense as possible. I also try to have a sense of humor.”

When asked how he most wants to influence his students, Chronister stated, “I want to be an example. I want them to see me as someone who has pride in what I do and someone who lives his life in the correct ways.”

In addition, Chronister said he would describe a successful teacher as “Someone who has a good time being around students every day, someone who cares about the student’s success, and someone who keeps working with students until they get it right.”

Chronister said a sense of humor can help relieve class disruptions and make class more enjoyable for his students while making students look forward to attend and pay attention in his class.

Teachers set the tone in the classroom and can affect students’ lives in profound ways, and Chronister his humor and inspiration to create a positive experience.

He said teaching is about life-altering moments you never expect.