Featuring maps on every wall and a George Washington cutout, Paul Rynkiewich’s classroom looks like any other social studies teacher’s. But it’s not – his is the room of a Peabody Energy Leaders in Education Award winner.

Peabody Energy started the program to recognize great leaders within the community. 

“I’ve always loved history and geography, even as a kid,” Rynkiewich said. “Although that’s not the case with every student, I do my darndest to bring enthusiasm to my class.”

The interaction with students is what he likes the most out about teaching.

“Being here a long time, I still enjoy being around kids,” said the North Posey High School social studies teacher.

It was really quite a surprise, Rynkiewich said. He received $1,000 in prize money and will be eligible for the national award.

He said he doubts he’ll win that because there are so many other great teachers out there.

After 32 years of teaching – 30 of them at North Posey – Rynkiewich said that even with his 54th birthday coming up, he doesn’t plan to retire soon.

“I’ve got several more years,” he said.

North Posey High School’s Assistant Principal Erin Koester said despite grading and assessing the students, Rynkiewich never gets “bogged” down. 

“He has a way of delivering his instruction with energy that sometimes is not easy to have in the classroom as a teacher,” Koester said. “But every day he teaches students with this level of energy that is very unique.”

Koester, along with North Posey’s principal, felt the social studies teacher was worthy of the nomination.

“I wrote the letter because (Rynkiewich) was a former teacher of mine,” Koester said.

She said she benefited from being his student.

“I felt like it was necessary to recognize him for his passion in the classroom,” she said.

Along with teaching, Rynkiewich coaches the girls’ basketball team and serves as an assistant coach of the football team. 

“He extends learning for the kids in various aspects, whether it’s in a class of U.S. history or out on the football field as their coach,” Koester said. “The genuine compassion that he has for his kids is just evident every day when he is giving his lessons.”

She said he uses humor in the classroom, which helps students make connections between what they go through every day and events that happened a long time ago.

“While a lot of teachers here have that passion and energy, I think he’s kind of a leader, and they just follow,” Koester said.