By: Charity Meier | Farmington Press | Published April 3, 2023
FARMINGTON — A popular science teacher kicked off his spring break with a big bang as he was presented the award for the Oakland County Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year at the start of his sixth period earth science class at North Farmington High School March 24.
Michael Bause, a 23-year veteran teacher, had no idea what was about to befall him as the bell rang for the sixth hour.
Shortly after the bell rang, Bause began teaching his class as usual when his classroom was invaded from both directions by family, colleagues and media representatives to surprise him with the award.
“I’m honored beyond words,” Bause said as he received the award from Steven Snead, the curriculum assessment supervisor for Oakland Schools. “I really do. … I love this job, and I appreciate the people I work with — the mentors, my fellow science teachers. … Thank you guys so much. This means tremendous amounts to me.”
Bause, who teaches 10th and 11th grade astronomy and earth science essentials, was named the Farmington High School Teacher of the Year at the beginning of March and was awarded a two-year lease on a new car courtesy of the Suburban Collection.
Bause graduated from Birmingham Groves High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in earth science and a master’s in physical science-interdependent from Michigan State University.
He is an officer in the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association. He has spent his entire teaching career at FPS, teaching chemistry, earth science essentials, weather and climate, and astronomy.
Bause was nominated for the district honor by his colleagues, students and parents in the community for his ability to build rich and genuine relationships, craft high-quality learning experiences, and consistently utilize effective techniques to position students at the center of learning to foster and encourage student thought, according to a district press release.
“As a teacher, Bause strives to meet the needs of all of his students. He does this by curating deep relationships with individual students. He is able to create these relationships by his desire and ability to seek out approaches and strategies to ensure each student succeeds,” the release said.
“I wasn’t terribly great in high school as a student, and I had a science teacher that inspired me, and that’s what changed my life. His name was Steven Webster at Birmingham Groves — an incredible human being,” said Bause.
Bause said his advice for all teachers is to encourage their students to want to learn and not to be scared of science. He said his goal as a teacher is to make sure that his students are interested in science and want to learn.
“I don’t want them leaving this classroom saying, ‘I hate science,’” he said. “What’s my secret? I just make connections with my students as much as I possibly can. … It really is about relationships. You got to build the relationships. You gotta build trust. You gotta let them know that it’s OK to not get it the first time and that everybody’s going to learn, just not necessarily at the same pace. Just keep chugging along and give them opportunities to learn from their mistakes.”
Principal Joe Greene stated in a press release that, “perhaps the best evidence of Mike’s ability to engage students is the fact that he makes science so intriguing and interesting that there are students in his room every day before and after school, as well as before, during and after class, seeking help, seeking advice, helping others out and engaging Mike in deep conversations about science and life.”
That method has been well received by his students. Three young men in his earth science class told the Press that they had initially taken his earth science class because it is a required course. However, they said they developed an interest in pursuing a science career because of Bause and have elected to take more of his classes because he is such a good teacher.
“After a long day being stressed out with math and this and that, I come to Bause and I feel like it’s free space for everyone, and I’m happy to have him. So that’s why, next year, I chose two more classes with him, because he’s just a great guy — great teacher, and I also consider him as a great friend, too,” said Hussein Tahan, 16.
Tahan said that Bause makes science fun and easy to understand by incorporating a lot of humor into his class.
“Mr. Bause is more interactive, rather than just giving out worksheets like other teachers do,” said Evan Kent, 16. “He makes you actually think and have to think for yourself. Two days ago, we did this poster about the sun, but he made us put all of the electronics away so that he’d see what we knew from just our brain, without anyone else’s influence.”
Rex Saenz, 16, said Bause is a great teacher.
“I have six classes. I go to all my classes, and the only one I really look forward to is Mr. Bause,” Saenz said, “because not only is he a great teacher, he cares for his students. Like, not a lot of teachers do that, and that’s what makes him just really special. And earth science is, like, really hard, but he just makes it really fun. So he makes it easy to understand, and the way he explains things, the way he talks to us, and the way he just makes us laugh really makes our day better. I could be having a bad day and I go to this class and I see Mr. Bause and he just makes me laugh and, overall, he’s just an amazing guy.”
The students said that they now have a desire to help prevent climate change as a result of Bause’s class. They said the class has helped them to understand that global warming is a real danger and that they need to do something about it.
Paraprofessional Mary Larabee sits in on his sixth hour earth science class every day and said that he is amazing to work with.
“I have personally learned so much from him about science, about earth science, about rocks,” Larabee said. “So I enjoy it, because not only am I watching the kids learn, but I’m learning along with them. His sense of humor is just amazing. He keeps everything so light-hearted and fun so that you don’t feel like it’s hard work being in this class. You are doing a lot of work, but it doesn’t feel like it. The hour flies by. … He just makes stuff make sense. He just has a way of explaining stuff so that it’s easy to understand what he’s trying to teach them.”
North Farmington building sub Sharorron Helm, aka “Granny,” said that she always asks students who their favorite teacher is, and she said that ever since she started subbing at North Farmington in 2016 it has always been a resounding “Bause.” She said that he has consistently been named the students’ favorite teacher of the year.
“Outside of the school, if I’m at the store or at the theater or whatever, if I ask them who’s their favorite teacher, it’s never been anybody but him,” Granny said.
Granny said that Bause even helped her to pick out a telescope for her 12-year-old grandson, who is interested in astronomy. She said he spent a lot of time with her on Amazon to help pick out the right one.
“I’ve taught teachers, and science and math are difficult to feed — to make fun and to learn. That subject matter is difficult. So he is able to do that. It’s amazing,” said Granny.
“It’s wonderful from an observer’s standpoint to see how amazing Mr. Bause is when I get to observe him in his class. This is like the secret place I go to when I need a dose of ‘what really matters.’ I kind of hide in here and watch a class, and it just helps me see why we do what we do,” said Greene. “Every single one of his colleagues said, ‘Yep. That should be. Of course that should be. He deserves that.’ And to hear that collegiality and that respect and that love and care is awesome. So, Mike, we are so very proud of you. The department is such a super support. You guys are amazing and you really do fantastic things for kids. I love you, brother (Bause). You are awesome, and you’ve made me a better educator.”
According to the press release, Bause has helped increase the student success rate, as measured by passing grades, to 97.87% in earth science and 90.86% in chemistry school-wide.
Superintendent Chris Delgato said the district made a point to present Bause with the award during the same period with the same students, and to allow all his fellow science teachers to see him presented with the award. The district provided a sub for all sixth period science classes, so that the teachers could attend.
“We know that your love for kids is shared by your colleagues and that they’re as happy and proud of you as we are in the district,” said Delgato.
“Very few teachers work as hard, passionately or generously as Mike Bause does on behalf of his students, his colleagues and his family,” Greene said in a press release. “He is always able to find time to help others and foster their growth, he never hesitates to celebrate and share out the successes of his colleagues, his students or his own family. With all of this in mind, I can think of no more worthy teacher to be honored as Farmington Public Schools and Oakland County Schools High School Teacher of the Year.”
Bause also thanked his family for traveling around the country with him collecting rocks to be used in his classroom. As a reward for the honor, Greene gave Bause the remainder of the day off. Bause said he was truly surprised and that he thought the award will help energize him for his long drive to South Carolina for his family’s spring break vacation.
Bause will now be entered into the state competition to be named the Michigan High School teacher of the year. The winner will be announced in the fall.