Over the past year I have had the opportunity to get to know a unique person to Enumclaw and our school district. He is easily one of the most influential and inspiring people I have ever met. In school, there were days that he made worthwhile and provided such incredible insight I did not want to leave his classroom.

I am fully aware that I cannot speak for all of the students at Enumclaw High School, but there are individuals that would agree with me. He provides both an educational and a personal relationship with students. He pushes for the best in students and does not change his standards for anyone. He runs an effective learning environment by passionately lecturing the importance of whatever his English classroom brings to the table.

Often times, walking by his classroom, I will see someone in there talking to him. He takes time out of his own day to help the students who need it. Whether it is personal or school-related problems, he will help you understand both sides of the situation. There was a time where I waited one and a half hours in the hallway after school just so I could talk to him about a situation I was going through. I had to wait that long because he was helping someone before me.

There are students I know who stand up for him in other classrooms. There are students I know that can go to him and talk to him about anything because they have no one else to talk to. There are students I know that are going to miss his presence at Enumclaw High School. He has earned a respect that I have never seen in anyone else.

It is my opinion that we need more teachers like Don Bartel at Enumclaw High School. I would like to thank him for all he has done for the students and all he has brought to the Enumclaw community.

Caleb J. Gwerder

Student body president 2012-13