Monday afternoon the bell rings to begin 5th hour and long time social studies teacher Mr. Chris Farmer walks in shutting the door behind him. He makes his way over to the smart board smiling and warning his students of his possibly personal story. Over the weekend he decided to do something special for his wife. He took his wife to a nail salon for a pedicure. Then he giggles and tells his students how he got his toes done as well to match his wife’s. The kids look around in disbelief and a shocking laugh breaks up the silence as he offers to show them his toes.

Mr. Farmer won the Fort Osage High School 2023 Teacher of the Year. This year marks his 30th year in education. He started his career off in Kansas and worked there for 12 years and then moved to Missouri where he has worked his last 18. He enjoys knowing that he has an impact on the future of the country and is excited to see what his students can do to change the world. 

“Many adults today think kids are well,” Mr. Farmer said. “They don’t think much of kids and those assignments gave me a sense of hope for the future because yall have a lot going on in your heads.”

This year has been one of Mr. Farmer’s best and hardest years. He has grown very close with this year’s sophomores and relates to them. Mr. Farmer tries to remember how it was back when he was 16 and all the stress he was under. Now with social media he knows his students are less likely to take a break and destress. Sophomore Isabel Baggs feels that Mr. Farmer teaches at a good pace.

“He always double checks to make sure we have a good understanding of what we’re learning and he always makes sure we have a good mindset going into the class,” Baggs said.

Mr. Farmers’ class is different everyday. He has activities that incorporate games, food, and costumes. Mr. Farmer will randomly dress up as a character from the time period he is teaching. Sophomore Sienna Sullivan thinks his characters make the class more interesting causing her to pay more attention.

“I feel like compared to my other teachers he was definitely one of the best ones cause he just makes it really fun,” Sullivan said.

Mr. Farmer did not expect to win Teacher of the Year. He is amazed with his colleagues and their teaching abilities. He realizes there are teachers teaching future doctors and scientists. Mr. Farmer felt shocked and thankful after he won Teacher of the Year.

“I’m embarrassed and humbled,” Mr. Farmer said. “I know that in this building there are really really good teachers.” 

Once the laughter has died down he walks to his computer to find the picture he took of his toes in the nail salon. He unfreezes his smart board to reveal his toes sparkling with red glitter nail polish. Once again the students are in awe and laughter breaks out across the room. Now that he has his students awake and active in the conversation he starts to shift to explaining the assignments for the day.