In the busy halls at Oak Hills High School, one name resonates with many students and staff alike: Mr. Shannon Murray. With an impressive 29 years of teaching experience under his belt, Mr. Murray has touched the lives of numerous students, doing this by blending his passion for history and genuine care for individuals’ well-being. These two traits make Murray one of the most well-known and loved teachers at OHHS.
Murray’s journey to the classroom begins far from the world of education. Initially an archaeologist, he traveled the globe in search of uncovering the past, immersing himself in different cultures. It was only during his time overseas, teaching math, that he discovered something he had never even considered as a career path: teaching. Upon returning home, he had planned to marry his now wife, whom he had met while abroad. This pivotal moment led him to decide to lean towards teaching history.
In his classroom, Murray maintains a balance between his professional and personal life. Arriving at school by 5 AM each morning, he ensures he is caught up on grading and lesson planning before the hustle of the school day begins.
Murray’s teaching is influenced by his own fifth-grade teacher, Mr Gardener: “He seemed to genuinely care about us” Murray reflects, “Every day, he would ask how we were doing as we walked into class and I want to do the same for my students.”
One student, in particular, left a lasting impression on Murray expressing how much he appreciated him at the end of the school year. The student prevailed that Murray seemed to care about him, along with other students. The student further noted that other teachers didn’t always obviously show the same level of sympathy with him as Murray had. Murray is clearly a teacher that anyone would be lucky to have.
Outside of the classroom, Murray likes spending time with his wife and family. He and his wife enjoy volunteering at horseback therapy for children who have autism once a week. Further, Murray plays on an old-time gloveless baseball team. Murray says he typically has two books going at the same time, as reading is one of his favorite hobbies.
Murray also claims to have a secret identity that some students are aware of, but most are not. He would rather keep it that way, but if you ever have him as a teacher, I’m sure it won’t be difficult to figure it out.
Alexandra See, a student of Murray is quoted stating, “Mr Murray is a super-engaged teacher that really cares about his students.” Furthermore, she says, “Mr Murray is loud and funny.” In conversation, Alex laughs at herself, mentioning, “Mr Murray is definitely better than Mr Floyd.” These quotes illustrate how some students view Murray.
Logan Meyer, another student that Murray currently has, is quoted stating, “He is a very fun and invested teacher.” He goes on, “He puts his time into us.” These two quotes given by Meyer show even further that Murray is valued by his students.
As Murray prepares to enter his third decade of teaching, he remains committed to inspiring the next generation. His dedication, empathy, and unwavering commitment to his students, make him not only a teacher but a role model and inspiration to students like me. Hundreds of students have walked through his doors, and although not great with names, Murray has left an indelible mark on each and everyone, embodying the true essence of a remarkable educator.
