Photo contributed by Emma Monroe
For the month of April, the Myers Park Hoofprint has chosen German teacher Herr (Mr.) Elkins to highlight as the Teacher of the Month. Herr Elkins grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, going on to attend the University of Georgia in Athens. He has been teaching for approximately seven years, four of which were at Myers Park. He is currently the only German teacher at Myers Park, the backbone of the German language program. The program offers a variety of levels, ranging from German 1 to IB Language B: German HL 2. Herr Elkins wishes more students would partake in the German program and has answered a few questions regarding the class and himself.
- What material does your class(es) consist of?
In German class, they focus on “reading, writing, speaking, and listening, trying to do something for at least one of those skills every day.” Herr Elkins says. Students accomplish this by learning German vocabulary, grammar tenses, listening to native speakers, and watching Fotoroman, a German soap opera.
- Who is eligible to sign up for your class?
“Everyone!” Herr Elkins confirmed, adding that German is a fantastic way to fulfill the two language credits every student needs in order to graduate. Even if you are already taking another language, German is still an option. “You don’t wanna be basic and do Spanish,” he jokes.
- Why should students sign up for your class?
“My class tends to be a very fun, kind of relaxed place where you can be yourself.” Herr Elkins explains. He goes on to say that he never gives any homework, so the workload won’t be too difficult, and that learning a language has a lot of mental health benefits. “It can expand your way of thinking and help you become a critical thinker.”
- What is your favorite part about teaching at Myers Park?
The students, Herr Elkins says, are what make the teaching experience worthwhile. “In basically all the classes that I have my students work really hard, they try really hard to learn German, they make the day fun even though they’re really goofy and dumb sometimes,” he says, noting that a long day goes by a lot faster because of them.
- If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would you have dinner with?
He starts by saying, “It would definitely not be Thomas,” but goes on to say Herr Kurtz, his German 2001 professor. “He was one of the biggest inspirations for me as far as learning German went, and then especially as being a teacher, he was very fun and lively in class but obviously very passionate about German” he answered.
You can visit Herr Elkins in room SC6 to learn more!