Students are often surprised when a teacher’s life outside of school is exposed, as if teachers only exist within their respective classrooms; even seeing your teacher at a grocery store can be mind-blowing.
American History Teacher Christian Price has an especially compelling background that, for those who have been students to him, helps to explain his unique teaching philosophy. Price– a man with a gruff voice, a dry sense of humor, and a no-fluff approach to teaching– has actually been more involved in American history than his job title suggests.
Price joined the military in 1999 and was one of 1.5 million soldiers involved in the Iraq War– a controversial invasion motivated by the 9/11 terrorist attack. His motivations for joining the army were simple and honest: “I wanted to be GI Joe. I wanted to jump out of airplanes and shoot guns and go see the world.”
This thrill-chasing nature started when he was young. His childhood was spent riding bulls and driving racecars. In his youth, he felt suffocated by the school environment, admitting “I didn’t like being in the confines of a four by four room and desk, and here I am now, teaching, so it’s kind of ironic.”
His father, a farmer, assured him that college was a waste of time so the decision to join the military seemed practical. After beginning training, his trouble-making tendencies were quickly retired as he had to prepare for responding to senior officers’ orders.
“When you go through that type of hell…you kind of form a brotherhood. Even today, you know, I can call [and] have 20 people here within and hour, ready to hide bodies without asking questions.” He describes his bonds with fellow soldiers- bonds that transcended political, cultural, and religious beliefs- as the best part about his service, swearing that he would risk his life for any of them, no matter their differences.
But soon after being deployed, Price would learn that military life was not all that he was promised. “You watch military commercials, ‘Come join!’ and it’s never like that. It’s a lot of ‘Hurry up!’ and ‘Wait.’ But I’ve come to realize as I became an adult, that’s pretty much [all life is].” Rest assured, there was plenty of action ahead. Price completed over 400 Combat missions where he witnessed extreme gender discrimination and suicide bombings, spending most of his time busting down doors and hosting interrogations.
Price was the perfect solider. His ability to disconnect emotionally is something even the most confident, physically capable soldiers struggle with.
But not all of his time as a solider was riddle with violence. He also served in the National Guard, saving people from snowstorms and floods. One of Price’s most memorable missions was handing out school supplies to Iraqi schoolchildren. “They thought it was Christmas,” he recalls.
While his own students may never express such excitement when he hands them papers and pencils, they will surely appreciate his teaching of American history, which incorporates a global, “whole picture” perspective that prepares them for the real, harsh world, encouraging students to question everything and acknowledge America’s flaws along with its strengths.
If you see Coach Price in the 600 hallway, don’t thank him for his service, as he believes that “the heroes are my guys who never come home, and I’ve always said I’m just a friend of a Hero. That’s it.”
