An unknown party thinks highly of English teacher Brian Turnbaugh.

This person nominated Turnbaugh for recognition from the Daily Herald, and as a result,  he became a Daily Herald top English teacher.

Turnbaugh was sent several questions regarding his talents as a teacher and his responses were published in the paper.

A photographer from the Daily Herald came in to one of Turnbaugh’s classes to take pictures of him in a classroom environment.

“It was ugly sweater day and I wished I was wearing something different, of course. He was in for all of three minutes, took some pictures, left, and that was it,” Turnbaugh said.

Being able to represent the school and earn it recognition were both honors for Turnbaugh.

“I think it’s nice any time that our school can be recognized for doing good things. It seems like the Napervilles and Wheatons get all of the attention sometimes, so it’s nice to say ‘hey, we’ve got something going on over here’ so I’m glad that the Herald came our way,” Turnbaugh said.

Turnbaugh appreciates the recognition, but is still unaware of who nominated him for the honor.

After joking that he had no idea why he was nominated, Turnbaugh added that it was likely because of his wholehearted approach at teaching.

“I must be doing something right. Someone nominated me so I think someone must have seen something in my teaching that is sincere, which is what I try to do. I always try to bring a certain level of energy and attention to class everyday to at least push kids along a little more,” Turnbaugh said.

While striving to be a good teacher, Turnbaugh never stops looking for opportunities that can benefit his students.

“I don’t stop thinking about teaching, ever. Everything I read, everything is (for teaching). I essentially have two lenses of the world which is who I am with my family, and then when I take those glasses off, how do I see my world and how to bring that back to my students,” Turnbaugh said. “So I think that’s been a very productive preoccupation for me is to always be trying to find what’s the next best thing that I can bring to my students to get them closer to being better thinkers and writers.”