There are many extraordinary history teachers in the world and one of them is Badin's own Mr. Schuckman.

Q: What classes do you teach?

A: “I teach Advanced Placement US History,” Schuckman said.

Q: When did you come to Badin?

A: “I started as a substitute at Badin High School working when needed in 2012. Became a football coach in 2013 and began as a teacher in the fall of 2014,” Schuckman said.

Q: What is your favorite part about teaching students history and government?

A: “I enjoy helping students have that aha moment when they study things. Its very important to me that students better understand the past so that they can more fully grasp the world that they live in,” Schuckman said. “Without understanding what has happened in the past, people don't fully understand why things are they way they are now.”

Q: What was your major and what was it like?

A: “I was a history major in college. I studied all parts of history...World History, American History, and European History as well. The hardest part was all of the reading. Most of the time it was interesting, however some topics weren't terribly exciting, so the reading came very slowly,” Schuckman said. “I averaged reading a couple hundred pages a week. Most assignments were papers or tests. My favorite courses were the sequence of courses I took on European History that ended with an Age of Dictators class covering Europe through WWII. I took that at the same time that I took course work on the holocaust which ended up being my most studied subject in college. “

Q: What is your favorite part of ghost hunting?

A: “Ghost hunting is fun for me because I get to spend time with friends really. The ghost hunting is just an avenue to do that really. Plus I get to do historical research on the places we visit which is fun as well. Most places we ghost hunt in, I like to imagine what it would have looked like when it was originally open and operational. Most places are a little dilapidated, so you have to be able to handle things like bats and spiders,” Schuckman said.

Q: What is your favorite fun fact to teach during APUSH?

A: “I don't think there is any one fact I like to teach, but it's more enjoyable to help tell the personal stories of the important figures in history. It helps make them more real to students and seems to pique their interests in it more than the facts,” Schuckman said.

Q: What is it like to be a football coach?

A: “Coaching football is one of the more stressful but rewarding things that you can do. It is a lot like teaching. You take a concept that is foreign or not widely understood and have to teach a wide variety of skill sets among kids the best way to do it, athletically,” Schuckman said. “Depending on the players, the team as a whole and other factors like injury you have to adapt and change the process. The same thing happens in the classroom. At the end of the day the reward is seeing kids improve and get better, both individually and as a team.”

Q: If you could go back in time to talk to one person, who would it be?

A: “John Adams or Abraham Lincoln. John Adams is one of my great-great (I don't know how many greats) grandfathers. Abraham Lincoln because he was known to be a great storyteller and I loved most of his speeches. I'd love to speak with him about how he planned his speeches,” Schuckman said.

Q: If a student were to come to you for advice about majoring in history vs. political science, what would you say?

A: “I would tell them that they need to enjoy reading first and foremost. Second, I would want them to at least have an idea of where they want that degree to take them after college and work during college to make the connections with people that could help to get them there. As much as good grades help getting you into college, good connections help with the career.” Schuckman said.

There are many students that Schuckman has taught including junior Becca Moore.

“I like how he goes into depth with his notes and actually uses a lot of examples when we’re learning different chapters. It helps me learn what we are doing better and understand it better,” Moore said.

There is no doubt that Schuckman is truly an incredible teacher and his passion just furthers this statement.