In November, front yard lawns were decorated with political campaign signs. Names of potential senators, sheriffs and local politicians were engrained in the minds of voters. For Middletown High School and its surrounding community, there was one name that held a special value.
Jerry Donald, one of the school’s government teachers, was running for a seat in the Frederick County Council. After a tight race, Donald won by a margin of 25 votes. Needless to say, the MHS community was proud of its teacher, but he will not be the first political figure roaming the halls of the high school. Currently, there are two other government teachers holding public office.
Sean Haardt, a councilman in Boonsboro, and John Miller, the Burgess of Middletown, are the other two members of Middletown’s influential club. Besides being government teachers, the common denominator that all of them have is desire to create change.
Political campaigns require a whole-hearted effort in order to be successful. In a campaign, the candidate’s level of dedication is put to test.
“Exhausting” is the choice word Haardt used to describe his campaign. “It took a month to campaign for only 199 votes.”
A less devoted candidate would subdue to the rigors of a campaign. Only a candidate who truly wants to bring change to the community will put forth the effort to run a successful campaign.
Any slacking or doubt in a campaign can cost precious votes. Nobody could agree with this statement more than Donald, who won by a mere 25 votes. Donald describes his race as “an interesting rollercoaster.”
He recalled that after leading after 16 of 17 precincts, “people kept coming up and congratulating me,” but the last precinct showed his opponent leading by 61 votes. The next week, absentee ballots were counted giving Donald exactly 61 votes. The race concluded with the provisional ballots revealing Donald was ahead by 25 votes. Every vote in the race mattered.
Wanting to bring change is a wide topic with many different interpretations. Donald’s interpretation was simply to offer another view of government. After being unhappy with Frederick County’s policy of government, Donald figured, “I could complain or change it.” And that was enough reason for Donald to run.
Haardt’s scenario was different. After being an activist to start curbside recycling in Boonsboro for five years, he decided he needed a new approach. “I didn’t want to run. I felt forced to,” he said of his bid to change a specific issue.
Miller’s inspiration is a unique blend of the two. A situation over the high prices of water bills provoked Miller to take action. Unlike Haardt, his campaign was not centered on a main issue. “It was about getting someone new (into office), getting some useful change,” he said. Like Donald, he was offering a different view for voters.
There was a third reason behind Miller’s run. “Being a social studies teacher,” he said, “I had a natural inclination to be a part of the (political) process.” Of the three, Miller is the only one to suggest a link between being a social studies teacher and a public office holder.
Haardt took an opposing view. “To be honest, I don’t want to deal with government all year,” he said. Teaching the inner working of government through the week and participating in them during weeknights is repetitive, and after being a councilman since 2012, the job never ceases to end for Haardt.
Although being a government teacher did not prompt most of them to run for office, running for office did change their perspective of government. Being inside the government enhances their teaching ability. They are able to transition from objective to personal in their teaching.
Being the Burgess of Middletown, Miller emphasizes that things move slowly in government. It is a perspective that is only fully understood by someone within the woodwork.
Haardt said, “I appreciate [the political process] a lot more,” he said. With first-hand experience, though it is on a smaller level, Haardt understands the work and rigors of “the big-time” people who try and keep the government functioning.
Besides a first-hand experience of how inefficient and stressful government can be, the three teachers are also a part of the achievements in government. While Donald has only had three meetings since his election, Miller, who is in his third term as Burgess, can describe many triumphs he has seen.
While people often complain about how ineffective the government is, Miller still has an optimistic outlook .“You can effect change,” he said. You can make a difference.”
Miller, Haardt and Donald have a passion for government, as seen by their teaching career and their seat in public office. More so, their passions often carry into the social studies lunchroom. There, many discussions have brewed, going, as Miller put it, “far longer than it should be.” But nothing less should be expected. The opportunity to share ideas and discuss issues is right in front of them.
“It’s nice,” Donald said, “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” For example, if a situation occurs in the county council that is similar to an issue that the town of Middletown has already dealt with, Miller can share his experiences with Donald.
The discussions go beyond the three teachers. Sometimes many teachers give input. “People have an interest in community,” Miller said. They like to share their personal ideas. It is a way to have their voices heard.
Many people like to complain about the government; it is seen and heard every day. Some think the government is doing everything wrong. Some people think their ideas are better than their politicians. But at Middletown, three teachers stopped thinking and started doing. They chose to stop complaining and make a difference.
