A poem by Collinsville High School senior Alyssa Simpson about teacher Darrin Neuber was selected by Barnes & Noble Booksellers as the local winner in their My Favorite Teacher contest.
Neuber, a CHS English teacher, and Simpson will be honored at the Fairview Heights Barnes & Noble store on Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m. Simpson’s poem King of the Nerds was chosen from entries representing over 20 schools across multiple counties.
Simpson describes how Neuber’s tough teaching practices make students believe he is …made of stone. Set out to destroy our poor young souls. However, she quickly discovered Neuber, the King of the Nerds, …taught me to dig deeper. To reach inside my brain and latch onto something that mattered.
In the poem, she tells Neuber, You taught me to be intelligent, instead of smart. Because smart people know facts but intelligent people solve problems.
Simpson’s poem stood out among the essays, poems and thank you notes received from middle and high school students because she expressed WHY Mr. Neuber is her favorite teacher in an interesting and colorful way. The entry has been forwarded to the regional competition and could move on to the national level.
The complete text of the poem is included as a PDF with this article.
The April 10 celebration at the store marks the kickoff for Barnes and Noble’s Teacher Appreciation Days. Teachers, staff, students and the community at large are invited to attend the event.