The best teachers aren’t just those who teach, but are those who have the power to instill a love for education and inspire future generations to strive for success. Among all the teachers at AHS, there is one teacher who does this best: Ms. Leahy.

Always encouraging her students to ask questions and to stay as active scholars both in and out of the classroom, Ms. Leahy strives to not only teach her students the beauty in American history and government, but the importance of moral righteousness and self-identity as well. The goodness in her heart always shines through, inspiring students all around to always act honorably and lend a helping hand whenever possible. Although tedious and extensive, one of her biggest assignments of the year allows her students to delve into their family histories and traditions, encouraging her students to always pass on customs and to never let history die down.

Empathetic of the difficulties of going through high school, she pushes her students to experience life outside of just homework, studies, and tests, and actively advocates for them to attend school and community events. Although incentivized by receiving Leahy Loot (extra credit), her students visit historical landmarks, festivals, and museums only to find themselves in love with their discoveries and their experiences. Even those whose strengths don’t lie in history find themselves understanding the importance of preserving history and absolutely in love with her class.

As a teacher, Ms. Leahy always goes above and beyond, emanating her passion for not only creating historians in her classroom, but successful individuals as well. Throughout the year, her assignments are always left very open-ended, allowing each student to speak their opinions and allow their voices to shine through. She not only teaches history, but exercises her students’ analytical and critical thinking skills through questions that encourage applications of what they know to modern day situations. Understanding that public speaking can be most people’s greatest fears, she implements student presentations in her curriculum in order to allow students to slowly break out of their shells and feel comfortable with speaking in front of other people. From creating student versions of Mr. Betts videos to comics of historical elections, Ms. Leahy’s class has it all. Her students enter as mere high school scholars to knowledgeable leaders of the future.

Although she takes on the huge responsibility of coaching the school’s award-winning Constitution Team, Ms. Leahy never shows lack of dedication in her work, despite how tirelessly she works each day. Even during times when her honors and AP curriculum may be difficult, her students always have a reason to smile and enjoy learning in their class. With her quirky themed days like Mindfulness Mondays to Trivia Thursdays and her passionate attitude toward teaching, there’s truly nothing not to love about her class.

-Frances Cheung, 12, Pow Wow, Editor in Chief