One of the Best Students

I​t's great to have faculty members that really care. It is what defines this place.

Just one example is Dr. Milton Eckhart. Dr. Eckhart is a MD who had been preaching in Colorado. He and his wife Holly assist with medical missions in Haiti as well as a preacher training school. He applied for a position in our science department a few years ago. At the time he applied, he also had opportunity to go to a much larger school for a better salary and be closer to his aging parents.

When I asked him why he chose York, he replied, "Because of the mission and that everyone here believes in it." It is great having a MD teaching anatomy and physiology. Although he is obviously qualified, he spends hours preparing for his classes and interacts one on one with students.

Although his training and dedication make him a valuable asset, it is his love for students that makes me appreciate him so much. Last Saturday at the women's soccer game, Milton came up to me and wanted me to see a picture of one of the girls out playing on the field. He was excited, not because of the game, but because of the smile on the girl's face in his picture. He went on to tell me that she was failing his course until he gave her some extra work to make up. When she did, he encouraged her by saying, "see, I know you could do it!" He said that was the first time he had ever seen her smile and asked if he could take her picture. His belief in her made an impact and may change her life.

Not too long ago Milton came to my office with a student in tow. She was quiet and obviously being forced to come see me. Milton was beaming when he said, "I want you to look at her text book." What I saw was tattered and torn, pages sticking out, a worn cover and a broken spine. Since we furnish textbooks as a part of tuition (to make sure every student has the books they need) I assumed it was a used book and I thought I was going to get a complaint about the quality of books we provided.

Instead Milton, once again beaming, said "That book was new when she started in the fall. Look how hard she has been studying. She is one of my best students!" I don't know how good her grades were. She was a "best student" because she was putting so much of herself into the class.

​Inspiring teachers make a lot of "best students" and can change how they see themselves and the world.
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