I have never really enjoyed school -- the classes, the work, all of it. I decided to finally take an art class here at Arrowhead High School, thinking that maybe if I had a class to look forward to, I would enjoy my other classes a little more. I enrolled in the introduction to ceramics class. The minute I walked into the ceramics room, I knew I would enjoy the class. The room was messy, yet filled with the aura of creativity and independence. Although, as soon as I met the teacher, I was intimidated.
Mr. Kenas called the class to order, went over the syllabus, showed us a couple different tactics on the pottery wheel, and gave us our first two projects. He then set the class free to create. I felt intimidated because he knew what he was doing and just set us to our own. I was shy — I always have been when it came to meeting new people and trying something new.
As the classes and the days went by, I had to get myself on the pottery wheel. I was shy and afraid to ask for help, in fear I would get in trouble for doing something wrong. I grabbed my tools, my bucket, and my clay, then sat myself down on the wheel. I panicked. I had no clue what I was doing. Mr. Kenas could tell that I was struggling and as he walked over, I thought,  oh my goodness, I’m going to get scolded at for wasting time.
“Looks like you need some help,” he said. Then chuckled.
I smiled and nodded, shyly.
He was so patient and kind. He guided me through everything he had already gone over, without hesitation or frustration. Even when I still didn’t understand, he went over the skills a second time.
Mr. Kenas is not only a patient and kind teacher, but he also takes the time to get to know his students on a personal level. There have been countless days that I have walked into his class worried about work for my other classes and times where I have sat there and complained to my friends about my boy problems.
One day, I walked into class, upset about a boy who had been hurting me, and Mr. Kenas overheard me talking. He walked up and started telling us that he believes women are here to train boys into becoming men. At first I was confused, but then he went into a story about how the women in Liberia ended the Civil War because they had withheld from having sex with the men. He said that women having a sexual connection with the men in Liberia is actually very important to their love, beliefs, and culture. The main point of the story was to not give into men so easily and that I have the power to end the tension between my boyfriend and I.
The fact that Mr. Kenas had taken the time out of his class period to share that story with me, to make me laugh and cheer me up, just shows he is more than just a teacher. He is a friend.
I have also taken the time to get to know about his life. He works on countless projects for friends and family. He has showed me pictures of the wood pieces he creates, a bookcase for his family’s foyer, a doll bed and even a bunk bed with drawers and hooks for his daughter. In ceramics, he created a serving dish and cup that are connected, to make it easier for his friend, a pastor, who only has one arm, to serve communion out of on Sunday’s at church.
Mr. Kenas has become one of the best teachers I’ve had the privilege of knowing. He’s passionate about his job, and you can see that through the way he teaches. He cares more about the students actually learning the tactics rather than how great the piece looks. He wants our pieces to be meaningful and personal, so we have a reason to create. He has not only taught me how to create pieces on a pottery wheel, but how to be myself, accept myself, and love everyone around me. I couldn’t have asked for a better class to be a part of. Thank you, Mr. Kenas.