When junior Jessica Hadley walked into her fifth period class on the first day of school, she was a little nervous about the year ahead of her.
Although she considers herself a science-oriented person, Hadley, like many others, was unsure about the perplexing world of organic chemistry. Although she has been challenged by the subject matter of this course, Hadley admits that her instructor, science teacher Gary Freebury, has made it all worthwhile.
"He knows how to explain anything," said Hadley. "He won't let you leave until you understand."
Last month, the Tandy Fellowship, given to only 100 teachers throughout the country each year, recognized Freebury as one of the best science teachers in the nation.
But according to many of his students, the Tandy Fellowship isn't telling them anything about their teacher that they didn't already know.
During the 34 years that Freebury has worked at FHS, he has accumulated numerous awards, including the American Chemical Society Award for the Northwest and being named chemistry teacher of the year for Montana.
The recent recognition, however, came as a surprise. Freebury said he "knew nothing about it." Freebury was the only teacher from Montana to be recognized by the Tandy Fellowship.
In addition to the prestige of the award, Freebury will receive a trophy, a cash prize of $2,500 and a trip to New Orleans on April 2 to receive the honor.
According to those who know him best, Freebury has earned the recognition.
"I've never seen him use his temper," said biology teacher Linda deKort. "He's always reliable. He's always learning. He's very dedicated."
Perhaps one of the reasons Freebury has found such success in teaching rests in his wide array of interests and knowledge.
"I have never met a man who knows so much about everything," said senior Chris Koski. "The only thing he can't do is swim."
"I've tried to expose myself to a lot of different areas," said Freebury. "As an educator, especially in the sciences, you need to be exposed to a variety of things because you need to know how to teach application and show students the meaning of what they're learning."
While being a fulltime teacher at FHS, Freebury also enjoys a number of outside activities. One of his favorite pastimes is a lesser-known sport called curling.
"I like the finesse of it," said Freebury of the old Canadian sport that involves heaving a 40 lb. stone with handles across the ice with enough precision to knock down pins and get the stone to stop at exactly the right place.
Freebury has curled for six years and on March 8 traveled to a tournament in Crow's Nest, Alberta. Freebury also excels in bowling and is an avid golfer, as well as being FHS's former band director and holding a degree in music.
"I think he just might be the smartest man I've ever met," said Hadley. "He's done everything."
Freebury's wide array of interests is stunning, but his life stories are, well electrifying. Freebury is one of the few who can actually say they've been struck by lightening.
The science teacher learned a lesson in physics first-hand when he was working on his boat and a single cloud came overhead and struck the metal on the boat. The bolt hit his hip and went through his leg to the ground. The jolt not only knocked him out, it shattered teeth as well.
"I saw the flame but I didn't sense anything," explained Freebury. "I just got picked on."
"There's a saying that you're more likely to win the lottery than be struck by lightning," said Pat Freebury. "I keep telling him to buy a ticket."
At 60, Freebury is currently the oldest teacher in School District 5. His dedication to the job persuaded Freebury to pass up an insurance incentive given for retiring after 30 years.
There's a rumor going around "that he's immortal," said junior Bryan Bunny of Freebury's long presence at FHS. "He must have discovered the secret of life."
"He loves his job from the day school starts until the day it ends, " said Pat Freebury. "And if he's not working he's home reading journals or correcting papers."
Freebury is still excited and enthusiastic about education, and says he will know when it's time to finally face his retirement.
"For me, teaching is not a job," said Freebury. "I look forword to every day and I have fun. And when it becomes a job, I know it's done."
Although over 30 years of teaching have earned Freebury many awards and honors, he feels his greatest accomplishment is something much less tangible.
"The most rewarding thing to me is seeing my students go on and become successful in the sciences," said Freebury. "Watching them succeed is real accomplishment."
Many agree that Freebury's abilities and wisdom are an inspiration to us all.
Said Koski: "Mr. Freebury is divinity in the form of a high school teacher."