By Britta Folden
An elementary school teacher with 38 years under his belt and nearing retirement might seem like someone who would look a bit more tired, but when I met Mike Root in his classroom he seemed as energetic, happy, and youthful as one of the kids.
Mike, or Mr. Root as kids would call him, became a teacher in Hoquiam in 1976, fresh out of Washington State University with a degree and eager to learn the ropes from mentors and administrative staff of Washington Elementary School in the Hoquiam School District. He spent his first seven years there and then moved to Central Elementary School where he continues to teach fifth grade for over thirty years.
The time has passed in what “seems like the blink of an eye,” he says. Possibly because he claims teaching has never felt like work because he has so much fun doing what he does. “It’s almost unreal at times.”
Though teachers may have a variety of reasons they enjoy teaching, Mike could narrow it down to two aspects that drive his love for this profession. First, he enjoys sharing information and finding new ways to spark their curiosity. Second, he finds he can connect with the personalities of kids at the fifth grade level. Mike still doesn’t feel like an adult and enjoys these young students at this who are fun, kind-hearted, respectful, social and genuinely enjoy school. He also relates well with kids this age because he claims to have the sense of humor of a fifth grader.
Teaching is not without its challenges. He has seen many changes over his 38 years and recognizes that expectations of teachers and students have been reshaped by a variety of influencers. He explained that it can be difficult to find the happy medium and teaching methods and theories can often be more of a pendulum swing experience. Each year, he takes the time to create a comfort level in his classroom and maintain consistency in the way he treats each student. He has found it very important to create an enjoyable and pleasant place where kids can learn and have fun.
When asked about the subject most students would likely remember most from his class, he explained that he does a special presentation about John F. Kennedy each year that helps kids learn about history and problem solving at the same time. He was in fifth grade when JFK was assassinated and it has been a special interest of his that he enjoys sharing with his students.
Root also likes to teach through games. As his past student, Scott Rowley, recalled “he had a great game he would play with the whole class on the World Series. It got everyone excited whether they liked baseball or not … it wasn’t necessarily the content but his gift to really connect with children.”
On his wall, he keeps class photos from every year he has taught. He has obviously made an impact on the lives of many of these students, as is shown through the letters, photos and even a quilt hanging on his walls, as well. Many of his students have grown up and remain in contact with him even now, some of them being fellow teachers now and parents of children in his current class.
Of all the students he has impacted, he is most proud of one student. Cheri came to his class after moving through foster care and ending up in Hoquiam. Prior to meeting her, he was slightly intimidated by the news of her history, but as she entered the class, she was incredibly happy and full of life. Cheri sought out Mike’s company each morning before school, even after her year in his class was over, to discuss the day’s events and eventually shared with him about her struggle with Cystic Fibrosis. One day, when she didn’t show for her morning chat, Mike put in the extra effort to ensure that she was safe and when she was found at home and rushed to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Mike went to be by her side until her caregivers could be there for her. He even brought a van full of students up for a party in her hospital room on her 13th birthday, when she unexpectedly had to cancel her birthday plans at home.
His friendship and care for Cheri has sustained his career further than he had originally planned and will retire after one more year of teaching, when Cheri graduates from Montesano High School. He had previously planned to retire when his own children completed school, but made a commitment to ensure Cheri’s education as well.
After great career accomplishments and raising his two children, Kelsey and Colby, to be happy and successful (his greatest accomplishment in life, he says) he is ready to retire with his wife, also a Hoquiam teacher, and enjoy visiting his kids and fixing up his house.
The joy he has for teaching shines when Mike speaks about his career and those students he has had the opportunity to nurture, educate and care for. At the end of each school year, he always tells his students that just because they are no longer in his classroom doesn’t mean he will stop caring. Each of them remain important to him, even after the 9 months of the school year end.
“It is a thrill and an honor to be a teacher,” summarizes the Central Elementary School icon.
