Mr. Killoran by Phia

Mr. Killoran by Phia - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

AP Physics with Mr. Killoran was consistently the best part of my day. This class has taught me more about life and how to be a good person than anyone else I know. No matter what was going on in my life Mr. Killoran could always manage to make me smile, and everyday was an example of the type of person I want to be: a positive force for good who inspires those around him to be the best version of themselves. On days when I had physics I began my day with Mr. Killoran’s “welcome to physics,” and days when I didn’t have that class I found it incredibly difficult to find a reason to get up in the morning. That class not only taught me the principles of physics, but who I want to be as a person. Mr. Killoran consistently teaches me to succeed in the academic world, while also inspiring me to be a better human being.
He is easily the best teacher I have ever had. He consistently encourages his students to succeed, and teaches his class in a way that makes effort worth more than intelligence alone. He always finds time for his students, helping them with curriculum, and life in general, before, during, and after school. I have never met a teacher who is more invested in his students’ success and wellbeing. I have never met anyone who did not enjoy his class, and I know many people who only took AP Physics in order to have him as a teacher.
Without his help I would not have been able to get a 5 on both AP Physics exams. He helped me whenever he could with the material and doing test corrections when I was absent a lot for band events. He has also reaffirmed my pursuit of a degree in physics, and even made me consider a career in teaching. I am a cadet teacher for his class this year, mostly just to have him as a teacher for one more year. Through this experience he has helped me learn how to be a teacher and what it would mean to have a degree in physics. Most importantly, he inspires me to be a decent human being above all else.