SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Lakeside High School is the home of many great instructors, each with outstanding qualities as educators that Lakeside students are quick to appreciate. Every year, the yearbook staff of LHS asks the students to vote for their favorite teachers. The results are surprising, with “fun classes,” such as art or drama, losing the vote, while the dedicated teachers of more severe subjects often take the prize.
This year, the runner-up for the prize of “Favorite Teacher” is the head of the Science Department and biology teacher Brian Toth. Growing up in a small town near Steubenville, he spent his childhood on a farm and grew up around plants and animals his entire life. It’s not surprising that when he left high school he went to Ohio State University as a major in biology. After spending three years at OSU, which he loved, he transferred to Cleveland State University and graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He has since received a master’s degree in education. Toth has been married for 13 years and has taught in the Ashtabula Area School District for 12 years. He has three children, 7-year-old twins Zach and Kaitlin and 3-year-old Aryanna.
Why did he become a teacher? “I honestly became a teacher because it was something to do, but it was definitely the right choice because I love my job,” Toth said.
He instructs the College Prep Biology course and the Advanced Placement Biology course, which are filled with sophomores and above. The students love him, not only because he is easily relatable through the music he listens to, love of hockey and hilarious stories, but also because he is committed to their education.
“Toth is a really great teacher because he lets students get involved with the class, which ends up teaching us so much more. I’ll definitely miss his class when I’m in college,” said Lisa Roane, a senior in his AP Biology class.
While he may not be the winner, Brian Toth is an inspirational teacher who lets students reach their highest potential in his classes. The fact that he has gotten so close to winning the prize shows that Lakeside students are committed to their education, and even those that teach some of the hardest classes can win this title.
The winning “Favorite Teacher,” Toni G. Schultz, however, was no surprise. This well respected, dedicated teacher is easily loved for her dynamic personality and her overall passion for teaching. Schultz grew up in Ashtabula and graduated from Ashtabula High in 1980. Schultz is described as a fun and loving person; so it’s no surprise she was Homecoming queen. She attended Kent State University at Kent and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism/ communications. Following her college success, Schultz worked at a radio station. Years later, Schultz attended Lake Erie College to study education. Schultz started working with mentally challenged children and loved it! It was a substitute teacher that told her she should become a teacher. Following this advice, Schultz attended Youngstown State University and received her master’s degree as a reading specialist. Her teaching career began at the old West Junior High building, where she taught English for six years. After West Junior High was demolished, Schultz was moved to the Lakeside Junior High building, where she continued to teach English for two years. Schultz presently teaches English at Lakeside High School and says she absolutely loves it.
Being the outgoing and creative teacher that she is, Schultz is able to reach students through her special teaching techniques, and is proud to teach English because it can be taught from all aspects through different subjects. “Reach ’em to teach ’em” is Schultz’s motto. Schultz is passionate about her job and believes in her students.
“There’s good in every person, and there’s always something to love in everyone,” Schultz said.
While Schultz is a strong, independent woman, she said she gets her strength from her sister, Connie Schultz, who is a Pulitzer Prize winner.
“My sister is my favorite author,” Schultz said.
Schultz also lives by her favorite quote by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, “Well behaved women seldom make history.” In the future, Schultz hopes to further her education and will continue to make a difference in the lives of children.
Every teacher at Lakeside High School wants to be a part of their students’ successful future. Although each student has his or her own favorite teacher, lessons are learned through the teaching staff as a whole.
