When social studies teacher Larry Thurman's eleventh graders try to submit a paper that's only adequate or even below par, he refuses to accept them, requiring the students to go back and improve their work. Such high standards have allowed Mr. Thurman to get the best out of his students. His U.S. History students are regularly among the top scorers in both the district and the state. Last year, 100 percent of his students passed the state's U.S. History test, and 80 percent scored 3 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Psychology exam. An alumnus of Jim Hill High School, Mr. Thurman is so committed to his alma mater that he planted flowers in the front of the building, served as the drill team sponsor without pay, and worked with struggling students after school-all while teaching officially at another school. Since returning to Jim Hill as a teacher, he has focused on providing a rigorous educational experience for his students, identifying strategies to address individual student needs, collaborating with fellow teachers on interdisciplinary lessons, and helping students become actively engaged, responsible learners. Despite his challenging instructional program, student interest in his psychology classes was so high that he began teaching a new Advanced Placement Psychology class. It seems the more he demands of his students, the greater demand there is for his teaching.
