Mr. Niel Tubbs: Inspiring Future Generations
Jan 27, 2024
It is with pleasure and an honor to share with you and others who are passionate about teachers, children and the future of technology and science in our country, my thoughts about financially supporting the new Beatrice Elementary School Innovation Library of Collaboration and Technology. This new PreK -6 school will offer the unique opportunity for our children to learn and become passionate about any number of sciences and technologies, all in a central teaching location.
Many of us can recall one teacher in our educational lifetime who made an impact on our young mind. A teacher that not only loved teaching, but loved to make it challenging, rewarding and memorable. That teacher in my life was Mr. Niel Tubbs. Mr. Tubbs was a Beatrice High School Chemistry/Science Teacher, known for being tough; a sort of tough that not only challenged his students, but a tough which offered his students choices, the ability to make decisions and the power to determine their own pass or fail fate in his class.
I was a student in his Advanced Problems in Science Class. The student count was only about six, all who I would call nerds … and me. Our semester task was a research project of our choice. The criteria were simple: no scheduled class meeting time, no tests and no attendance taken. Your time was to be spent on the project which was then to be presented and graded by all the other science teachers at Beatrice High School. Mr. Tubbs could be reached for assistance; however, his motivation was student self-responsibility. We had one task; to manage our time, our research and our entire class experience, funneled into one day and one presentation. I was not bored sitting in the class. Instead, each of us were more motivated to learn than ever before, learning the unconstructed possibilities of being “grown up”.
Mr. Tubbs made a difference for many students when it came to science and technology. His lessons have served me well and I have always honored him and held him in the highest esteem. While this experience was one in high school, I fully believe children today are wiser than their years and discovering a passion for learning science and technology can start at a young age. The Beatrice Elementary School Innovation Library of Collaboration and Technology will do just this. It is my hope that my financial support will bring the excitement of learning to young people in a way that invokes curiosity, compassion and critical thinking. An out-of-the-box educational experience can lead to an out-of-the-box mind, ripe for discovery and a promising future by and for our children.
Because of this and my own motivation to offer – in my own way – what Mr. Tubbs gave me; I highly encourage others to help our young people discover their mind’s capability and their passion. It may lead to exciting and innovative responses to the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Kindest Regards,
H. Earl Boston Class of 1968
In honor of someone who inspired YOU, we encourage you to DONATE to the Building New Beginnings Campaign today!