Who do I nominate? Well, I nominate Master Sergeant Howie, one of the best teachers I’ve ever met. MSgt Howie is a 
very caring, humorous, encouraging and strict teacher. When I first met him, I was scared of him because of his size, 
but that all changed when I got to know him.  
MSgt Howie is very encouraging. Every day he pushes us to do our work. When we go outside for drill, he 
wants us to do our very best to try and show off in front of the other platoons. He always stands up in front of the 
class and talks about how he wants what is best for us. He also cares a lot for our education and how we do in life. 
Some days when we don’t do drill right, he will make us do it over and over again until we have it right. He will yell 
encouraging things to make us get more confidence in doing drill. I remember during bootcamp I had him and he 
would make us do a lot of PT. I wasn’t good at it so he would always yell, “Go Sklodowski” or “You got this”. I also 
remember him telling our class that “The pain that you endure during PT is just weakness leaving your body making 
way for strength.”  
​He is also very caring. One day he told all the guys to go out and do drill so he could talk to the girls. He 
started off by talking about relationships and how the guys act around us. Everyone was opening up to him. Then he 
said the sweetest thing ever. He told us, “You’re all precious gemstones that haven’t been found yet.” He also said we 
are part of his family and that he would defend us if we were being hurt. Some days when I was sad, he would 
always ask me if I was ok.  
Master Sergeant is also very hilarious and always know how to brighten up the mood whether it has 
something to do with a funny story or yelling to wake everyone up so they will focus on the story. Some days he will 
 
 
 
just sit in the front of the class and just tell funny stories about his time in the Marine Corps. He once told us about 
this story when he witnessed his first typhoon. He was told to not go outside because the winds were very strong, 
however, Master Sergeant Howie is always looking for a thrill, so he brought out clothes and made himself look like a 
flying squirrel. He said he then opened his arms and flew back fifty feet, and four to five feet above the ground.  
In conclusion, I think Master Sergeant Howie deserves the Educator Of the Year Award. He is caring, 
encouraging, strict, hilarious, and protective. He always knows how to lighten up the mood and make everyone laugh.