At Green Hope High School, teachers do more than just cover lessons: they shape the people their students will become. For Dr. Jerry Sarchet, that idea defines his career. Now in his 23rd year of teaching, Dr. Sarchet has made a lasting impact through his dedication, compassion and ability to connect with students, during the 2025–2026 school year.
Teaching wasn’t always part of the plan for Dr. Sarchet. In college, he had his sights set on a very different path; he wanted to join the Army and eventually work for the FBI. But life had other plans. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in History from Capital University in 1999, he served in the Army and eventually deployed to Afghanistan. During his service in the Army, an injury changed his direction. No longer able to meet the physical requirements for the FBI, he decided to try teaching. What started as a backup plan quickly became a true passion. He began teaching in 2003, later earning his master’s in Secondary Social Studies from Campbell University and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.
Over the years, Dr. Sarchet has found countless reasons to love being in the classroom. One of his favorite parts is seeing how much his students grow over time, not just as learners, but as people. “The most rewarding experience has been seeing the growth of the kids from ninth grade through their young adulthood and seeing them as adults,” he said. He still remembers one especially touching moment, when a student wrote a poem about him during his final year at a previous school. The student, whose siblings Dr. Sarchet had also taught, left a heartfelt note that reminded him exactly why teaching matters so much.
For Dr. Sarchet, history isn’t just about memorizing names and dates. His favorite thing to teach is what he calls “cultural literacy,” helping students understand the bigger picture of the world around them. He believes that facts only come to life when students can connect them to real experiences and current events. His classes encourage curiosity, open-mindedness and thoughtfulness about how history shapes today’s world.
Outside of teaching academic content, Dr. Sarchet finds meaning in the smaller, quieter moments that often go unnoticed. The quick conversations with students who need advice or encouragement. He says those hidden interactions can sometimes make the biggest difference in a student’s life.
When it comes to building connections, Dr. Sarchet focuses on being genuine. “I try to be authentic with my students,” he said. “I try to communicate with them at their level and show that I do care about them. I try to be a little jovial, so it’s not always so serious.” His humor, honesty and approachable nature make his classroom a place where students feel comfortable learning and sharing their thoughts.
Dr. Sarchet’s journey into education may have started unexpectedly, but it’s clear he found where he belongs. His dedication to helping students grow, both academically and personally, has made him an essential part of the Green Hope community. Through history lessons, conversations and years of encouragement, he’s helped countless students discover more about the world and themselves.
