Although most kids dread going to their classes and having to deal with their “evil” teachers, one teacher whose kindness stands out from the rest is the AP American history teacher at Plant High School, Christopher Carbon.
When asked what made him want to become a teacher, Carbon said, “It was never really something that I had to think about. I kind of have just always known that I have been interested in teaching and have wanted to become a teacher.”
Although many teachers generally accept the idea that their students may come to dislike them, Carbon refuses to accept defeat. Carbon says that in his class, every student has different needs and perspectives, which makes it important to not just treat them all as another cog in the machine, but each student is an individual person.
When asked what degree he earned in college, Carbon said, “I have a bachelor’s in history from Washington & Jefferson College and a bachelor’s in education from Tennessee.”
When one of Carbon’s AP U.S. history students, Ava Farchione (11), was asked what she enjoys about Carbon’s class, Farchione said, “I love the predictability of the structure of the class and that Carbon seems to always be in a good mood.
Through the way that Carbon interacts with his students and his teaching style, it is clear to see that Carbon’s approach goes beyond memorizing dates and names. Instead, he emphasizes historical thinking and analyzing primary sources, understanding cause and effect, and connecting past events to modern issues. His lessons often focus on why things happened, not just what happened, which helps students develop skills that extend far beyond the AP exam.
Many students describe Carbon as passionate and energetic in the classroom. Whether he is leading a class discussion, breaking down a complex historical event or preparing students for a DBQ, his enthusiasm for history is clear. He encourages participation and is not afraid to challenge students with tough questions that spark debate and deeper understanding.
When Carbon was asked why he chose to come to Plant, he said, “I taught in Ohio for two years and figured that it was time for a change. I saw that Plant was a good school and that they were hiring, so I applied, and I honestly didn’t expect to hear back from them, but luckily, I got the job.”
Another one of Carbon’s students, Rowan Neff (11), said that what stands out about Carbon’s class compared to his other classes is that “Carbon is one of those teachers that kids like, but because the class is tough, it can be frustrating as well. It is clear that he cares about his students learning the material, but in doing so it makes more work for us, like having a quiz on every day’s notes.”
Christopher Carbon’s AP U.S. history class challenges students to think deeper, work harder and engage more thoughtfully with the material they are learning. His dedication and passion make his classroom an influential part of the Plant High School academic experience.
All About Carbon by GAVIN GRIDER