Lee Sims is a biology and anatomy teacher as well as a cross country coach and the advisor of the Uno club. His classroom is on the first floor at the heart of the school behind the cafeteria. I recognize Sims as a pioneer for kindness and a true representation of an exemplary human being.
I’ve had Sims as a coach, teacher, and family friend. With that, he has been an important figure in my life. Every year, in January, Sims gets a cold and loses his voice for about a week. This is challenging because a lot of his teaching is lectures. But even in these times he can still bring positivity to the classroom.
If you’ve known Sims, you would know that he always checks up on you. Almost everyday he asks how I am doing along with my classmates, he always says hello and goodbye. Something not all teachers do. He truly values his students and what is important to them.
When I asked Sims if I could write this column, he approached me at the beginning of class.
“That made my day,” Sims said.
This and his attention to detail proves the smallest gestures impact him.
In his classroom, I’ve taken lots of biology and anatomy tests with lots of retakes my sophomore and junior year. but even through my mistakes, somehow he always has had a good balance of inspiration and kindness to motivate me to do better.
Junior Mandy Ye is in Sim’s class and likes the things that the class offers which is more hands onc
“His class is more hands on than other teachers, I like when he labeles the pictures because we have to take longer notes for anatomy” Ye said
He has strengthened my work ethic in cross country and taught me how important it is to keep running even when it is painful. But most importantly I can tell he enjoys his job and really cares about his team by keeping a constant positive attitude.
Junior Sophie Fisher runs cross country and is in Sim’s anatomy class.
“He’s been a good role model,” Fisher said
Sophie and I have been friends for 3 years now and it is mostly thanks to cross country and having anatomy together. She also agrees that Sims has been a good role model for her life.
There are people in your life that mentor you through it. Even if you don’t remember what they said, you will remember the way they guided you. Realizing I only have one cross country season left in my highschool career, I will bring with me the wisdom, kindness and work ethic that Lee Sims inspired me to grow.