Mr. Wake is the only teacher left who has been working at Santaluces since it opened in 1982. In combination with his years at other schools, he’s been teaching science for a whopping total of 39 1/2 years.
Not knowing what he wanted to do when he was in college, Mr. Wake went to an orientation for those who didn’t have majors (non-majors), and took a primitive computer placement test. His results told him that he is best suited to be a science teacher. With this information in mind and the fact that he loves science, nature, and teaching, he spent his first two years of schooling at North Michigan University and his last two at Michigan State.
Anyone who has ever been in Mr. Wake’s Environmental Science classroom would know that he isn’t like other conventional teachers. Mr. Wake always tries his hardest to make his students smile and when asked what he does to keep his class different, he said “I’m nice to all of my students, even when they’re not nice to me. I smile and I have a good time with the kids cause I can have a good sense of humor.” It’s not hard to tell when a teacher loves their job, and it’s clear Mr. Wake likes his colleagues and the students in his classroom. According to Miguel Cardenas, a senior who had his class, “There is so much to like about this class, he’s such a caring person and he cares for all of his students”
Although he can only legally teach for two more years, Mr. Wake plans to continue enjoying his work. Due to his immense love for dogs, he wants to become a dog walker or something dog-related after he retires.
Nivine Faraj • Mar 29, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Best Teacher Ever! I hated school but I loved his class! His teaching style and just general attitude was fun, creative, and caring. He is so kind hearted and funny. I often was motivated to go to school just because he was my first period teacher and it started my day in such a positive way. I had so much negative stuff going on in my life but his class was always a welcomed escape and safe place. I cannot thank him enough ♥️
Lewis Butler • Nov 26, 2023 at 12:06 AM
Mr. Wake was the most influential teacher I’ve ever had. I was a student at Santaluces for one year and graduated in 1988. Mr. Wakes Classroom had a lab in the back that was walled off from the classroom. He Discovered a dead animal carcass on his way to work, and brought it to school to show us the ecological benefits, and the cycle of life preceding death. He took us to an estuary to better understand the concept, and the life that thrives in it. He brought in a corn snake, and he dedicated class time to feeding it, while the class surrounded the terrarium. Mr. Wake also had this tank of a sedan that he would drive to work, leave it at the school, then would ride his bike home. The following morning he would jog to school and then drive his car home that evening. he even had his wardrobe in the closet at school to change into his professional attire versus his Athletic gear. I can go on and on about the adventurous spirit of Mr. Wake, but I’m here to tell you, what he taught me years ago , still has an impact on me today.