About David:

He and his wife, Heather, live in Wheatfield and have two daughters, Allison and Hannah. Bachelor's degree in social studies education from Purdue University Calumet. Master's degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Employed by School City of East Chicago for 13 years.

Accomplishments: David Tokarz teaches at East Chicago Central High School. He instructs civics, an introduction to government class that reviews founding principals and goes through the branches of government and the court system. Students work on projects including a PowerPoint presentation on the Bill of Rights and bring in pictures that represent amendments today. "That's a project the kids really like because they relate history to the present," he said. Tokarz also teaches students taking psychology, a senior honors course in projects. They make a video on stages of development from adulthood through death and dying. Students do the reporting and create skits, commercials, set designs and the music. While studying psychological disorders, Tokarz has students research and do a PowerPoint presentation and act out or display symptoms of the disorder. Tokarz was the student government sponsor for the past eight or nine years. He is the building committee chairman, serves on the

freshman homeroom committee and participates in the IUN Urban Teacher Education Program as a teacher facilitator. Next year, Tokarz will be a member of the new freshman academy at Central.

Personal hero: "My grandmother, Rose. She was one of the first women active in Hammond politics and she was always there for us."

What I read: "I like to read conspiracy books, on the JFK assassination and Lincoln conspiracies, and magazines."

Advice: "Treat others as you want to be treated."

Why I'm in education: "I always wanted to be a teacher from day one. I probably knew from my freshman year in high school. I had an excellent U.S.history teacher. I never changed or ever thought of doing anything else."

People might be surprised to know: "I enjoy gardening and camping."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com