Arnold High School teacher leaves a lasting impact on students
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Charles Stephenson is no stranger to teaching.
He taught for 18 years in Chicago and has now been teaching pre-AP and AP English at Arnold High School for 11 years.
His impact is felt throughout the entirety of the school's campus, and he has certainly left a lasting positive impression on his peers.
'A lot of times, whenever we look at who do you want teaching at Arnold High School? You really start off with who would I want my kids or my grandkids to be in a class?' said Arnold High School Principal Britt Smith. 'He's the person that I want my kids or my grandkids to have been in that class so that they could have the benefit of learning from him.'
Charles always asks for 100% effort from his students, and by doing so, he knows he must match that energy and effort.
He knows that by showing his love for teaching to his students, they will hopefully reciprocate and become better students and learners.
Charles, Arnold High School Teacher
'The things that I expect from my students, I try to model for them, and I think enthusiasm, energy, passion, those are things that students pick up on and they internalize and hopefully, again, begin to cultivate that and develop that within themselves,' said Stephenson.
Stepheson's impact is felt around the school, and his co-workers truly hope he never leaves Arnold.
Breakfast Point Academy's Melinda Cowart excels in nurturing kids
'Sometimes you are fortunate enough to have worked with those outstanding teachers, and you realize the significant difference that they make in the lives of others,' Smith added. 'Whether it be the colleagues or the students and Mr. Stephenson is that type of person. Being able to replace him is going to be probably impossible.'
It's no secret how Stephenson feels about his school and his students.
'I do this because I love it. It's I mean, it's a calling,' Stephenson went on to say. 'Those of us that stay in the profession this long, we are obviously here because we want to be here, and I definitely want to be here every day.'
That is what makes Charles Stephenson a Class Act.
If there is someone who you think is a Class Act, be sure to nominate them today.
All Panhandle school employees are eligible for this award.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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