Mr. Lesher is a Corry Middle School teacher. He has been teaching for 28 years. It is said that “A good education can change anyone. A good teacher can change everything.” I personally got to experience that quote first-hand last year when I had his class. Mr. Lesher is an inspiring and patient teacher. He always makes sure his students feel heard and he truly cares for them.

Lesher grew up in Union City, Pennsylvania with one older sister. Growing up his dream job was to play in the NFL. After graduation, he went on to Penn State Behrend, then transferred to Penn State main. There, he met one of his professors, who was an awesome teacher and recommended teaching to him. Taking the advice, he then went on to pursue teaching.

To him, the idea of a perfect vacation is hunting in Montana. When he goes on vacation he likes to do exciting things rather than relax. When asked what he is planning to do with his upcoming winter break, he said he’s looking forward to spending time with family, opening presents, and eating bagels. His favorite family activity is to play games.

He is a huge fan of football. His favorite NFL team is the Steelers and his favorite college team is, of course, Penn State. Mr. Lesher has coached football, baseball, and softball here in Corry. He has played a role in coaching high school sports for 20 years.

“The Sandlot” is his favorite movie and if you know Lesher, then you know that suits him well. His favorite singer is Zach Bryan. If he were able to go see an artist or band, dead or alive, in concert he would like to see either the Scorpions, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, or Zach Bryan. “Fortnite” is his favorite video game because he likes the action.

Lesher’s favorite quote is “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” If he were an animal, he thinks his  personality would match a stubborn mule.

At the end of the interview, he retold me a story he had told my class before of the frog and the scorpion. The scorpion needed to cross the pond, but could not swim. The frog, however, could. The scorpion asked if the frog could give him a ride and the frog said no because he would sting him. The scorpion then promised him he would not sting him, so the frog agreed and gave him a ride. As they reached land the scorpion stung the frog and the frog asked why he would do that after promising not to and the scorpion said because that’s just who he is. The moral of his story is to be more like a frog in life. Be a giver and be kind to people. In life there will be scorpions who just take and take. Mr. Lesher would like to inspire his readers to be a frog and surround yourself with other frogs.