A career in education is a noble calling. And ask any teacher what they find most satisfying about their chosen profession and you’ll likely hear something along the lines of having the opportunity to watch children learn and grow, and to make positive societal impacts.
For Scott Tennant — named Best Educator in the 2022 Best of Taos rankings — his job satisfaction is for sure rooted in that, but former students approaching him and saying, “Hey, Mr. Tennant; remember me?” are the moments he feels he’s truly achieved success. “They’re genuinely happy to see me, even after years since I’ve had them in my classroom, and that’s a pretty great feeling. It’s awesome.”
Tennant has been a middle school teacher at Taos Charter School since 2008 where he teaches seventh- and eighth-grade English Language Arts and Social Studies.
In a recent sit-down with the Taos News, he was guileless in his surprise at being so recognized by his students. “I’ve always taken a personal responsibility for my students,” Tennant said.
It’s a paradigm for education in which he was raised: “My grandmother was a Department of Education official under [President] Reagan; my dad was in special education; and my mom was a school psychologist.”
“Middle school years can be the hardest years; you don’t want to lose the kids,” he continued. “My imperative is to make learning engaging and fun.”
One example he gave was the mock trial his class conducted into the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. “We had a judge and jury; we called witnesses. An otherwise dry, but significant, historical event became a living thing that was much more relatable to my students.”
Tennant is also grateful that he and his students weathered the pandemic storm. “It was a difficult time for all of us,” but he also saw it as a time “of building trust, and of teaching kids how to show up socially and emotionally.” In Tennant’s eyes, one can always find the proverbial silver lining.
With the summer break looming, Tennant is looking forward to the many outdoor activities in Taos and, hopefully, seeing a return to local stages of Teatro Serpiente, a “guerrilla theatre group” in which he and his wife, Gina Gargone, are active members. They’ll also have plenty of time with his daughters, Sally and Olivia, who live in Minnesota with their mother, Julie Henzerling.
In August, he’ll return to Taos Charter School and will undertake his third graduate degree program, this time at UNM–Albuquerque where he’ll begin studies in educational diagnostics. “Continuing my own education is another way I believe my relationships with my students and their families will thrive.”
Before that, though, Tennant will attend this year’s high school graduation and cheer on the students who “are taking the next great step towards adulthood.” In the end, he said, “That’s what makes my life’s work so rewarding.”
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