During Mr. Genzlinger’s years as a student at FWPA, he saw something that created a sense of uniqueness and personality in some of his classrooms. This was a variety of class pets, and when he became a teacher, he knew that he wanted to give his classroom that same thing.
After Mr. G’s first year of teaching, he decided to make his first long-term addition to the classroom. He perused PetSmart until he decided on a small bearded dragon, whom he would soon name Benito, after one of the former Mexican presidents: Benito Juárez.
From that day forward, Benito would quickly become a class favorite and an icon. Sometimes he caused chaos (Everybody would be like ‘Ahh Mr. G, Benito’s getting out!’); sometimes he was a part of the education as an example. Mr. G. would use him in short anatomy units, cell structures, evolution, and random conversation that would be brought up through plain curiosity.
Benito had continued to live a healthy life and seemed to be his usual self until it was discovered that in mid-May, he had passed from old age. Just because he is gone doesn’t mean he’ll be forgotten. He left behind a legacy that will stay with us forever. “He became part of the family,” Mrs. Thornton explained. She also mentioned how big of an impact Benito had on the whole school, beyond Mr. G and his class.
He led Mr. G to continue the development of his classroom environment, going from one lone lizard to birds, frogs, fish, and more! Benito will forever be a long-lasting memory at FWPA because he brought changes that people will continue to see for as long as the school exists, like the inclusivity of hands-on learning beyond simple labs, but something that people can see everyday.
