February 6, 2009 The Prowler Page 15 Features
Bohlke maintains popularity among students
By coey carroll ccarrollprowler@gmail.com

byline for photo:
Mr. Jeff Bohlke’s fifth-period class crowds around him. He has been one of the most popular teachers at UGHS since the school opened in 2000.
Photo by Coey Carroll

After 24 years of teaching, Mr. Jeff Bohlke, AP Psychology teacher, maintains a great
reputation among his students as well as his contemporaries.
“[Mr. Bohlke is] excellent. He loves not only what he teaches but all of the people
involved,” said Dr. Wes Silvey, guidance counselor and longtime friend. “I admire that he is never satisfied unless he’s giving his absolute best to students.” When in college, Mr.
Bohlke wanted to be a radio DJ, but after working at a court order institution, he realized that he “wanted to help kids before they got into trouble”. “He’s a caring teacher,”
said Daniel Moore, senior. “Not only is he a good teacher, but he lets you be his friend.”
This year is a rather unique year for Mr. Bohlke; his daughter, Kelsey, is a senior,
along with many of her friends he’s known for years, some even since they were in elementary school. “After watching a lot of [students this year] as they grew up, I’m not sure how I’m going to handle it when they graduate,” said Mr. Bohlke. “It’ll be exciting,
but also very emotional.” Kelsey loves having her dad as her teacher this year, but believes that she will have a difficult time adapting to college without a parent there.
“I’ve always had a parent teaching at my school, whether it was my mom or my dad,” said Kelsey. “It’ll be weird going to college without one of them.” Students appreciate
Mr. Bohlke for his outreach. Study sessions, book clubs, and an annual cookout after exams are some of the examples of Mr. Bohlke’s goal to “make learning fun”, according to Jordan Godwin, senior. “Most teachers wouldn’t go the extra mile,” said Godwin.
“Because he’s excited to teach, we’re excited to learn.” Students who don’t even have Mr. Bohlke as a teacher still see his outstretched hand to help. “Mr. Bohlke is one of my favorite teachers, even though I’ve never had him for one,” said Tori Iannuzzi, sophomore. “He’s always there for me [when I need someone to talk to].”
Mr. Bohlke feels that the greatest thing about teaching is the involvement he has in ultimately helping students mature and discover. “Being around the kids as they learn and grow [is one of the best things about teaching],” said Mr. Bohlke. “But the best part is being a part of that process.” Ms. Kathy Bohlke, drama teacher and wife of Mr. Bohlke, knows that after teaching with him for seven years, her husband is a great teacher, and she admires how he acts with his students. “He seems so professional
when teaching his students,” said Ms. Bohlke. “I know they’re all crazy about him.”
Overall, colleagues in addition to students enjoy Mr. Bohlke’s unwavering desire to
teach and “better [students] as [people]”, according to Amy Adair, senior. “He’s an outstanding teacher,” said Dr. Silvey. “This is an observation from not only a good friend, but also from a fellow educator.”