Dallas Tatman: Making Learning a Red Carpet Affair.

Dallas Tatman, Three Fires Middle School

“I love knowing that what I am doing now will pay dividends for students…”

Dallas Tatman is an extremely dynamic instructor of 7th grade Eastern Hemisphere studies at Three Fires Middle School.  When asked what he loves about teaching, Mr. Tatman says, “I love knowing that what I am doing now will pay dividends for students both academically and professionally as they continue their careers.”  Having spent a decade in the Howell School District, Dallas is responsible for developing as well as teaching the History vs. Hollywood course of study that is offered as an “encore” choice for students.

Mr. Tatman not only strives to instill in his students a love of learning, he wants them to celebrate it!  “Just as art can be appreciated for the sake of art, learning for the sake of learning should be celebrated.  I want my students to be voracious, yet savvy consumers of information.  If they question the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’, then I will have been successful”.  In addition to giving his students a thirst for knowledge, Dallas also strives to build community within his classroom.  “I hope to create an environment in which they feel a social responsibility to treat each other with kindness and understanding.  Watching them mature and take responsibility for the success and happiness of their peers is a rewarding experience.”

So what is it about teaching that makes it so worthwhile for this Howell teacher?  “My proudest moments occur when classes get so excited about learning and being a community that it becomes the ‘cool’ thing to do.  Seeing students experience success and then building on that success is probably the most gratifying part of teaching.  It involves breaking down barriers that some students have built up for years.”

Mr. Tatman is also a proud father of a daughter currently attending Highlander Way Middle School.