Larry McCurdy, High School Teacher of the Year Has Students on the Right Page
If you ever step into room 304, beware of flying tennis balls and swinging yardsticks. Chances are, you'll hear a literary debate raging and the Beatles singing in the background. And in the middle of it all is an intense, amiable personality: Grady 2001-2002 Teacher of the Year, Mr. Larry McCurdy.
"He can walk around the room and be in your face the whole time but he's not abrasive just vocal--a real active teacher," Mr. Bob Usselman, student teacher, said. "It must be kind of hard to be bored in his classes. He shows a passion for his content and he's excited about what he teaches. That energy runs through to his students," he said.
Mr. McCurdy is well known for his unique teaching style--his version of the Socratic method, which consists of a continual questioning of the students about novels, essays and poetry, intertwined with stories of his life experiences.
Starting his career as a chef in restaurants such as The Public House and Daily's, Mr. McCurdy later catered to his blue plate special, teaching.
"I've always wanted to be a teacher. I went to college with the idea of leaving the food business to teach," he said.
"When I was a student teacher here I was planning to continue at GSU [Georgia State University] to get my masters. I wasn't going to teach high school, but I enjoyed student teaching so much I took the job they offered," Mr. McCurdy said.
Something must have clicked with Mr. McCurdy and teaching. He is now not only Grady's Teacher of the Year, but also the Atlanta Public Schools High School Teacher of the Year.
"He won because he inspires a lot of students," Aisel Smith, sophomore, said. "He inspires by mentoring - you can go to him and he'll help you out."
"He was chosen by peers and out of all the high school and alternative schools as teacher of the year - that's an honor in itself," Dr. Vincent Murray, principal, said.
Though the awards themselves are determined first by colleagues' votes and then later by school administration, students seem to agree Mr. McCurdy was truly deserving of the recognition.
"He's not only a good teacher, but a good person," Latashia Webb, sophomore, said.
"He treats the students like friends, not inferior people. He allows us to share what we feel, uncensored," Jeremy Senterfitt, senior, said. "Everyone I know respects him; he commands respect without being a jerk about it."
"The students can obviously tell his primary concern is their education. I can tell he just cares so much about his students by the way he teaches. He's a challenging teacher; he prides himself to push students, raise the bar of student expectation to reach their potential," teacher Mr. Kurt Phillips said.
"He makes you do your work but doesn't put too much pressure on you. He makes it fun," Mario Lewis, sophomore, said.
"I want to challenge students--not only more AP students, but to insure we're challenging students on all levels," Mr. McCurdy said of his initiative to push students farther.
Though Mr. McCurdy is involved in a plethora of Grady activities, including mock trial, the Grady Foundation, Arts Council and PTSA teacher representative, his main concern is working directly with the students.
"Mr. McCurdy is active in trying to move and encourage students not in advanced classes to become involved," Ms. Marian Kelly, head of the language arts department, said.
"He's always willing to give you make-up work or help you with anything you need help about. It can be about anything, even other classes," Smith said.
"The key to teaching is showing the kids you care for them - and you just can't say, I care for you," Mr. Usselman said. "McCurdy volunteers his time and emotions for a student. That's the way he communicates that he cares to the kids."
"He has a good heart - and a big heart," Lewis concurred.
Source: Sara Kuebbing and Emily Anderson, March 19, 2001, The Southerner
Post-note: Mr. McCurdy was chosen APS High School Teacher of the Year 2001-2002.
See also: Lori Klopp's Page (Larry McCurdy's wife)
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