Every school year Oakdale welcomes new students and teachers. This year, new English teacher, Mr. Earl Hartwig came to us teaching 9th and 10th Grade English. 

Hartwig revealed the many reasons that he chose to teach high school students, “I typically don’t have to worry about anyone stapling themselves or having to call home for new pants.” 

Hartwig did most of his education in Pittsburgh. He got his undergraduate degree from  the University of Pittsburgh and his  graduate school work at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. As of this year, he has been teaching for 17 years.  He considers the most defining moment of his teaching career to be when he was invited to past students’ weddings, or just seeing his students doing well. 

“He was the type of teacher to always make funny jokes and that would keep the class from being so boring,” track athlete and sophomore David Etaba said. Many students of Hartwig’s this year have commented on his wit and humor in the classroom. 

At Oakdale, students value a teacher that can make something as simple as reading an article a bit more interesting. For instance, while reading the book The Lord of the Flies, he insisted that each student read aloud in a high-pitched British accent to match the kids in the book. 

Although a prominent factor of Mr. Hartwig might be his quick humor, he really shows how he cares about his students as well. Hartwig differs from other teachers in the way that he proves this.  

“Mr. Hartwig talked to you like you were a grown up that had more than half a brain and just could make you laugh for some reason,” sophomore Lynnette Dickson shared. When high school students who are finding their way into adulthood and are treated like equals with strong ideas, it tends to make a long lasting impact. 

Hartwig has only been here for half a year and has found his place in many students as a favorite faculty member. The student body is very excited to have this new addition to the English department, and in Hartwig’s own words: “There are a lot of great things happening at Oakdale, why wouldn’t anyone want to be here?”