In praise of an exceptional teacher

I’ve decided to write another letter to the editor – not about soccer and not about all of our support of Nick Wallace for Grant County Superior Court judge.

No, this time it is about Mark Radocaj, who is a fifth-grade teacher at Peninsula Elementary School, whom our granddaughter was fortunate enough to have this past school year.

I first met Mr. Radocaj at Pay ‘n Pak many years ago when he worked at Ace hardware. I was quite surprised with I discovered he was the student teacher in Joelee’s third-grade class at Midway School.

While registering Joelee for fifth grade in August 2015, luck was on her side. She got Mr. Radocaj and she was on cloud nine. She was excited to go to school each day because of Mr. Radocaj.

While at the school barbecue, Joelee and her pals told us about the classroom snake, the one that Mr. Radocaj puts the head into his mouth. I didn’t need to see, but to the kids it was cool.

Twice a week during the school year, he held one-hour after-school learning sessions in math plus other subjects. A fun learning time – Joelee wouldn’t miss it.

Mr. Radocaj even rode his bike to Yonezawa Park to watch Joelee and Ana play soccer for Nick Wallace and Endeavour Soccer Academy. It’s things such as this that make him a very special teacher. He’s found his calling.

I urge everyone to write to the school administrator if your student’s teacher has been a positive influence, not just a negative. We are lucky to have such great teachers.

Joan M. Green

Moses Lake