Quaker Valley Teacher Receives Honor

Michael Haboush is that cool teacher with the fun class all the high school students want to take. His Spanish coursework is challenging, according to students who take his classes, but he makes language learning fun.

One student said he was three years behind in Spanish when he joined Haboush’s class and was able to catch up with his peers, thanks to his teacher's dedication.

Mica Rolllock, a student at Quaker Valley , said Haboush inspired her to go to Costa Rica on one of his annual summer trips to a Spanish-speaking country.

“I had him for honors Spanish. It was one of my favorite classes,” Rolllock said.

Haboush was honored Tuesday night with the Quaker Valley Award for Excellence. School Director Gianni Floro presented a proclamation to Haboush.

“It’s quite an honor…to be recognized. It’s really quite an honor and makes me feel good. I appreciate the award,” Haboush said.

The school board established the award nine years ago to recognize Quaker Valley staff members who have distinguished themselves in the performance of their duties.

Superintendent Joseph Clapper said Haboush has been a blessing to the entire school body as well as to parents and the community.

“You’re deserving,” Clapper said.

High school Principal Andrew Surloff said he and “Señor Haboush” taught in classrooms across the hall from each other when both men were teachers at the middle school, and they often engaged in conversation.

Surloff said Haboush, one of the most trusted people he knows, helps students excel while he teaches a Spanish class that is one of the hardest and most challenging.

“It makes the kids get better and want to learn Spanish,” Surloff said.

From incorporating technology into the classroom to planning the ultimate summer trip for students, Haboush’s passion for teaching shines. In addition to improving Spanish language skills, the trips allow students to study the beauty and culture of the country while learning firsthand the issues and concerns of its people, particularly its youth. 

School directors who are parents of kids have taken Haboush’s class also raved about his enthusiasm and general interest in his students and their success.

“To get a teenage boy excited about language is good in itself,” said School Director Debbie Miller.

“We need to clone you,” said School Director Dr. Kay Wijekumar, chair of the Educational Services committee, who said Haboush has influenced her son as well. 

Haboush, a Hopewell Township native, has taught in the district for 14 years, starting at the middle school in 1997 and transferring to the high school 10 years later. Before coming to Quaker Valley, he split his time student teaching between Mt. Lebanon High School and Mexico City, teaching sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students at Colegio Americano.  Another school district offered him a teaching job, but he ultimately accepted the teaching job at Quaker Valley Middle School.

“It was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Haboush said. “It’s really an extension of a family.”