Usually, substitute teachers’ names and presences don’t always have a strong impact on high school students. But longtime substitute teacher Michael Storin usually gets positive and compelling reactions from the students under his care.
“Storin is one of Creek’s favorite substitutes,” senior Raene Mascarenas Reese said.
He’s been subbing at Creek since 2013 and is known for his spontaneous stories, inspiring monologues, positive attitude, and playful humor. In his teaching, he focuses on building strong, supportive connections with both students and colleagues.
“It’s when I see a sparkle in their eye, or a smile on their face, then I know that we have connected in a positive manner,” Storin said.
Storin has a strong love and passion for teaching. Which stems all the way back to when he attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which is where he started teaching science in 1974 at Wilson Junior High.
He has taught at multiple schools throughout Colorado, including West Middle School and Prairie Middle School, where he taught for 33 years before retirement. As well as being a retired teacher, Storin has two kids, which he believes assists in his relationship with students.
“I want people to understand science is such a cool [topic] to learn,” Storin said. “I [also] want them to appreciate everyone in this department.”
With Storin being a part of Creeks community for over 10 years, he recognizes the work that goes into being a teacher, especially at Creek.
“Full-time teachers have so much more responsibility,” Storin said. “The whole preparation just for class time is so much more intense now than it was when I was a teacher.”
Before he became a substitute, Storin used to coach wrestling at Prairie Middle School. His old student, math teacher Rob Matuschek, has since worked and learned alongside him for many years.
“There was a lot of character development that the coaching staff would do,” Matuschek said. “He was really good at nurturing, yet motivating and inspiring.”
Storin’s ability to help students grow and mature has never faltered over the years. His guidance helps many kids with ambition and inspiration for their lives, proving that it’s in their hands and they can be whatever and whoever they want to be.
“He gives me hope for the future,” senior Sofia Gutierrez said.
Many students also feel that his advice gives them important new standpoints on their lives.
“He definitely has a bigger impact than he thinks he does,” senior Hazel Kemp said.
Storin thinks that recognizing kids he has only substituted for once, smiling at kids he has never met before, and joking with kids he’s familiar with are ways he can connect to the community with an irregular schedule.
“I hope we all can learn something from him, about having an impact on people and always knowing to take a positive outlook on things, no matter how tough it gets,” Matuschek said.
