One Amazing Teacher: Nate Ward
/An SRO’S Perspective: One Amazing Teacher
By Michael Boll
Constantly, we hear and read about how the kids of today are not patriotic and do not care about this country. For the last 2 years, I have been Mendham High School’s School Resource Officer (SRO). I have the honor and privilege to work with a faculty and staff that really love this country and teach their students about the huge sacrifice that our uniformed heroes make on a regular basis. The students at the school are given the opportunity to have a hands-on learning experience by having veterans and first responders speak in their classes about serving and protecting this country.
There is one amazing teacher, Nate Ward, who inspires and changes the lives of countless students and staff every day. Nate engages with nearly every student in this school, and he is by far the most beloved teacher at the school. Nate always puts others first and is always working on projects that have the most positive impact on his students. Also, Nate collaborates with other teachers so they are able to provide their students with meaningful and life-changing projects. He has the amazing ability to motivate the entire school and have them work happily together. Since I have been working here, I constantly hear people say that “Nate Ward is the best teacher.”
Every day I get to watch this incredible man teach these students things that a textbook could never do. He uses a boots-on-the-ground approach with life experiences and challenges. As an outsider, I am drawn to his classes and wish that I had an educator who cared about me like this while I was a high school student.
This man wears his heart on his sleeve, and this is something that cannot be faked. He is always making a difference in so many lives and I am lucky to be able to be his friend. I know there are so many deserving educators out there, but I have never seen someone who is loved by an entire school!
Some of Nate Ward’s programs:
Red Bandanna Day
Every year, the senior class watches the “The Man in the Red Bandanna” documentary. This film is about a day trader/ firefighter, Welles Crowther, who saved countless lives during the 9/11 attacks. After the class watches the film, they host a “Red Bandanna” day at the school. The Crowther family attends the event and shares Welles’ heroic story with the school.
9/11 Memorial / NYFD firehouse field trip:
During the spring, Nate has the senior class go on a field trip to New York City and visit the 9-11 Memorial and an NYFD firehouse. The students are able to hear from actual firemen who worked at ground zero and asked them questions about their experiences. After the firehouse, students go to the 9-11 memorial and pay their respects to the fallen.
Army Ranger Pat Tillman
Each year, Nate also studies the life and untimely death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Students engage in reading, discussing, and viewing about Pat’s life, and the decisions he made to leave behind an NFL career to serve his country months after America was attacked on 9/11.
Being a veteran and former police officer, Nate was able to convince me to share my personal experiences about the war and working at ground zero. This was the first time that I have ever spoken about these things and he made me feel very comfortable doing it. All of Nate’s programs are done with love and compassion, everyone who participates will take away something they will never forget.
Michael D. Boll is a retired police sergeant in NJ. He previously served as a United States Marine and is a Gulf War veteran. He is the founder of Operation Rebound Racing Team, a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans and first responders enjoy a better quality of life.
