Teacher Spotlight: LMHS's Tom Reed

Ardmore Patch's Teacher Spotlight focuses on local teachers who deserve recognition. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies, and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple thank you for all that they do.

Tom Reed, a ninth grade social studies teacher at , loves his school and his students. He is the faculty sponsor for the community service group buildOn, and will be traveling to Haiti with 18 LMHS students this May to build a school in a rural community. 

Teacher: Tom Reed

School: Lower Merion High School

Grade: Ninth

Subject: Social studies, specifically African and Asian studies

Years in Industry: 21

Teaching History: 15 years at Upper Darby High School and 6 years at Lower Merion High School.

Midway through my career, I made the change to come here to Lower Merion—and what a school. What an education the students get, what an incredible student body, of great ability, great work ethic, and great kids—compassionate kids, which we see in buildOn. I will be retiring from Lower Merion High School. It's just a great place to work.

What do you like most about your job?

I appreciate the character of the Lower Merion student: incredibly friendly, incredibly compassionate. Hardworking, energetic, all around great students that I enjoy working with—and it makes my job so much easier when I have students so receptive to learning, with so much support from home, so much support from the administration. Teaching isn't an easy job, but it's a fun job. It's really enjoyable to work with these kids.

What's so great about 9th graders?

I have taught ninth graders for 21 years of my 21-year career. It's a transition year; students are coming from the middle school, and it’s a big step. It can be a difficult transition. It's a whole new ballpark—it's a different game now. I like seeing from the beginning the timidness, skepticism or questions they have in regard to "Will I be successful?"

It's a big question mark. I love seeing their self-esteem build and seeing them become confident high school students.

What's the secret to being a successful teacher?

Number one, you have to enjoy teaching high school students. That's a great love of mine; I truly enjoy being not only with ninth graders but all students.

And, a love of history. It becomes so easy to teach when there's so much going on in the world that's relevant to my students' lives.  They see the connection, they understand the importance of it, and they're very involved in learning. It's a combination of the two.

What do you like best about your school?

I work with great people, my colleagues are some of the best around, the administration runs this place incredibly well. It's a great school, and a great school district.

On the upcoming trip to Haiti:

What a life-changing event it's going to be not only for Trekkies, but myself as well.