“For as long as I can remember I have found it exciting to teach,” said Leon Grant, pre-engineering teacher at Hiram High School and the Paulding County School District’s newly recognized Teacher of the Year.

Bit by the teaching bug early, Grant taught in church through various ministries for more than 20 years and at the college level for two years before taking a position as a high school teacher.

“I was greatly influenced by a colleague who has been in teaching for over 12 years,” said Grant. “She said there was a gift in me in the areas of math and science that could help students and suggested I consider teaching in the critical areas.”

With the support, Grant took the leap which brought him to be named Teacher of the Year.

Since becoming a teacher Grant has aided in many projects, but said there are three things in which he feels are his greatest contributions to not only the school, but students.

“I feel my greatest contributions have been the establishment of the HHS Pre-Engineering Program, the achievements of my students and the implementation of the Bridge-Gap Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Initiative,” said Grant.

Making contributions to the school and students has only been one aspect of Grant’s teaching career. He said he gets the most reward from his students.

“Pre-engineering students are immersed in rigor, relevance and relationship as they solve engineering challenges in and outside the classroom,” said Grant. “It is rewarding seeing students get excited about learning and catching a vision for their future.”

He said he did know he was nominated for the prestigious award.

“I was humbled and honored to win it and it is the highlight of my career,” said Grant. “It’s rewarding to help others learn and exciting to find creative ways to get students to apply concepts they previously did not understand. I love teaching.”