A Service of The Arrow           Sunday October 17, 1999 1:52 PM

By Alli Tuszynski

Arrow Staff

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Periodic Table Man!

Creating this infamous character from a periodic table T-shirt, a towel, and goggles, is just one of the ways Geoff Hughes lays down the foundations of chemistry for his students. This year though, Periodic Table Man's appearance is his last. After 16 years of teaching, Hughes has decided to throw in the goggles, and FHS students and staff will miss much more than just Periodic Table Man.

“He's a walking encyclopedia for science,” says fellow chemistry teacher Todd Morstein. “If you want to know something, you can ask him.”

That knowledge —mixed with a bowl full of enthusiasm and touch of humor— has led to one dynamite chemistry teacher. Surprisingly, Hughes didn't get his start in education. After receiving his masters in organic chemistry from University of Montana in 1972, Hughes went to work as a water quality specialist for the Montana Water Quality Bureau. It wasn't until 12 years later that he decided to fulfill his childhood dream of teaching.

“I had a friend at the high school who said they were having trouble finding qualified science teachers,” said Hughes. That was all the encouragement he needed. Hughes took classes and student taught part time, soon becoming certified.

Since he began working at FHS in 1984, Hughes has set a standard of teaching that has given his colleagues something to strive for and his students a new appreciation of dedication.

“He's the first teacher I've ever had who video-taped himself teaching, instead of making lesson plans for the sub,” said former chemistry student Tyrell Servo.

Using as many different styles of teaching as possible, including labs, lectures, and activities, Hughes works to keep it interesting and still fun.

“It was easy to learn from him,” said senior Brittany Smith. “He explains things really well.”

Last year he was recognized for his efforts and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science teaching.

“It was very flattering,” said Hughes, adding that the best part about the award was the school received grant money that can be used for new supplies and technology. In other words, he's passionate about his job, and his influence doesn't stop at the classroom door.

“He works a lot behind the scenes that students don't realize,” says colleague and friend, math teacher Fred Longhart.

Besides serving as science department chair, Hughes is also vice president of the Kalispell Education Association, the astronomy club adviser and the sports announcer for football, basketball and volleyball.

“He's a great announcer,” says Randy Russell, FHS activities director. “Everyone knows Mr. Hughes' voice. He's got some big shoes to fill.”

The decision to retire comes with mixed emotions.

“I think he'll miss it more than he realizes. It's been fun for him,” says Hughes' wife Fran, a first grade teacher at Edgerton who also is retiring this year. But, “this is a new phase in our lives. It should be a really fun time.”

Geoff Hughes, agrees it will be nice to have more time to read and travel. Also, as an active member of Glacier National Park(GNP) Associates he looks forward to spending more time in the back-country working on trails and fixing up cabins. That's not to say, that he's looking forward to the end of the year.

“I'm not counting the days,” says Hughes. “It's the kids that brought me here. It's the kids that I'll miss.”

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