Over the past 37 years, Doug Boerema has experienced both memorable moments and challenging trials in his teaching career. He has witnessed the numerous changes to Copley High School’s education system, technology and culture during his tenure. After 34 years in the district, Boerema currently stands as the longest serving teacher at Copley. 

“My dad was influential in my decision to become a Mathematics teacher,” Boerema said. 

After joining the education field, he taught at Buckeye Senior High School at Medina. While he is now solely a math teacher, he previously taught classes including art, physical education and science. 

Meaningful connections with current and past students have significantly shaped Boerema’s teaching career. 

“A former student gave me one of the most difficult moments of my career,” Boerema said. “But a few years later, she returned to tell me how grateful she was that I never gave up on her and continued to be patient throughout the school year.” 

37 years of teaching means 37 years of navigating inevitable changes. During his career, education has changed dramatically. It started with technology: the fading use of rexographs and typewriters, to the evolution in chalkboards, whiteboards and smartboards. Then, differences in the atmosphere of the school started to become prominent. Boerema surmises that respect for authority positions in schools has changed since the beginning of his career. 

Not all of the shifts Boerema has seen have been positive. Boerema concludes that the development of technology and the use of cellphones have provoked a disconnection between people. 

“With the advent of everyone having a personal phone, it is too easy for people to be self absorbed and less [likely] to hold meaningful conversations while looking into the eyes of their friends,” Boerema said. 

Boerema incorporates his drive for meaningful relationships into his lessons. As an adept teacher he has learned the importance of listening rather than talking, and most importantly caring for his students. 

“It is important to find the fine line between taking what I do as a professional seriously, and giving the students a break when it is needed,” Boerema said. 

As his teaching career continues, Boerema will keep learning from his students and colleagues. 

“Every day I am learning ways that I can be a better teacher, friend, father and husband,” Boerema said. “I am thankful to Copley for the years and all the people that I have been able to enjoy.  It is still a very good place to teach and to be a student.”