As the bell rings to signal the beginning of another period, students settle into their seats glancing toward the front of the room. If you’re in Room 307, all eyes turn to English teacher Mr. Christopher May.
The energy begins to lift as he starts to speak, his passion obvious. Despite the complexity of the material, senior Ryan Kumar says Mr. May makes class something students look forward to.
“I’ve personally never liked English, but Mr. May has a way of teaching that I actually enjoy,” Kumar stated. “I’d describe his passion for his job as someone who lights up when talking about the subject he teaches.”
After decades of inspiring students in the classroom, Mr. May will be retiring in December 2025.
Mr. May has taught 12th-grade Honors English, AP Literature and AP Language Arts for much of his career.
While many students see English as just another requirement, those in Mr. May’s classroom say it’s a highlight of their day.
Renisha Patel, a student in May’s AP Literature class, shared what it’s like to start the day off in his room.
“His positive energy is great and he’s really good at connecting with the students,” she said. “It’s obvious he cares about us.”
Mr. May never planned on becoming a teacher.
He had planned to attend law school, but financial constraints led him to English education, a field he quickly found he was good at
He began by substitute teaching, planning to teach for a few years to pay off student loans before returning to law school.
But over time, he fell in love with teaching — not just the material, but the students.
“I started enjoying the interaction with the students and conveying the material,” he said. “I like the material, but also the kids. I have found that they come from families that have instilled in them a sense of what’s right and what’s wrong and how to behave properly.”
Mr. May has created an atmosphere where students feel safe opening up and sharing their thoughts.
“When I show them respect, they’re more open to sharing who they are,” he explained, adding that respect isn’t just about following rules or maintaining order, but rather fostering a sense of understanding and mutual support.
This atmosphere creates what Mr. May calls “magical learning moments,” where students make significant strides in their academic and personal growth.
“It’s empowering for both myself and the students,” he said.
Patel said the class environment made her feel more motivated to learn.
“He’s very enthusiastic about the subject,” she said. “It makes you feel energized and ready to learn the next thing, even if it might be difficult.”
For Mr. May, it’s not just about delivering lessons, it’s about inspiring students to find their potential and pursue it.
“I get the sense that I’m giving back to my community and that I’m passing on something that was given to me—care and concern,” Mr. May added.
Kumar said Mr. May’s energy in the classroom made a subject he once dreaded feel engaging and enjoyable.
“I think it impacted my learning more because unlike other teachers, not only does he engage with his lessons, he also engages with his students whether it’s reading, writing, presenting or more.”
Mr. May’s ability to challenge his students while also providing them with support is one of the highlights of his teaching.
“I hate presentations and I’m literally the worst at them, but leading up to the presentation, Mr. May met with us consecutive times to make sure that we were ready to go,” Kumar recalled. “He gave us all the help we needed.”
Mr. May’s approach helps students grow, even when the material feels daunting. To him, success isn’t just about the right answer.
“It has to be a safe place for students to make mistakes,” he explained. “If it’s okay to make mistakes, then students are more willing to try things that are beyond them.”
Patel said feeling safe in Mr May’s class helped her grow academically.
“When I was struggling in English he would help me out,” she said. “He would give me tips on how to improve and would never penalize me for failing. Instead, he’d give me more opportunities to grow and improve.”
What Mr. May said he’ll miss most is watching students overcome challenges and make progress.
“I’ll miss the light in their eyes when things click,” he said.
For students like Kumar, Mr. May’s dedication to helping them succeed will be the most memorable part of his class.
“He wouldn’t mind going over a topic again even if just one person was confused,” Kumar said. “He gave up his time to make sure we got it.”
With retirement approaching, Mr. May plans to travel with his wife and spend more time fishing, a peaceful contrast to decades in the classroom.
“Mr. May was just an incredible teacher; I think it’s accredited to the kind, considerate and patient person he is,” Patel added.
Mr May’s influence goes beyond the lessons taught in class. Instead, it’s rooted in the values of respect, hard work and dedication that he’s instilled in every student who has walked through his door.
“I didn’t choose teaching, teaching chose me,” Mr. May said.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2025 print edition.
