Meeting each other for the first time, Anthony Stanich walked into the computer science classroom, where he was introduced to Mark Snodgrass to work together back in 2018.
Helping each other by combining their skills, they managed to work together as one.
Engineering teachers Snodgrass and Stanich have developed a strong friendship since working together over the course of seven years.
“Together we make awesome ideas,” Stanich said. “So together we are a perfect teacher. Separately, not so much. He’s the idea guy, (while) I make some of the stuff happen.”
When Stanich was hired, he got put into the same classroom to work with Snodgrass. Stanich took over engineering classes when the computer science classes got full since he was a new teacher.
Together, they helped each other with coming up with the curriculum.
As they worked, they appeared to have a similar personality, setting a task,completing that task and having a general goal at the end. They both see this as a process of learning and evolving.
Their friendship started to grow even more when Stanich started helping Snodgrass in Robotics three years ago. From there, they spent so much time working hand in hand with each other. They got the chance to get to know each other outside of school hours as they waited for the Robotics club to begin at 5 p.m.
Teaching the same subject together, they spent time talking about their plans for either Robotics or for upcoming lessons. Eventually, they got invested into each other’s lives and learned more about one another. They also went on quick food runs with each other.
By incorporating each other’s skills, they believe that they are able to create a well-working engineering class.
“He has focused on his side to create a certificate, a certification process, so if the kids take so many classes, they get certified,“ Snodgrass said. “We both added extra opportunities for kids to participate in engineering outside of class.”
Working side by side, the two were able to create other clubs alongside Robotics such as Women in STEM and Mini Movers.
They both aim to help students with anything they may need in the future. They both teach their students knowledge that they know and what those students need in order for them to succeed in the world.
“He truly cares about kids and will do anything within his power to help them, as long as they’re willing to help themselves,” Stanich said.
