The Morris Hills community wishes Mr. Fahrer a warm congratulations for being named this year’s Teacher of the Year!
Celebrating his 10th year at Morris Hills, Mr. Fahrer teaches AP Language and Composition, Service Learning, and Theater Arts, while directing the annual fall play and assistant-directing the spring musical. He also advises the International Thespian Society, the drama honor society, bringing his passion for literature and theatre into every aspect of the school community.
“I’ve always loved how literature can spark ideas and spark movements,” said Mr. Fahrer.
“I actually didn’t really start getting into theater until I was in college, but I think my love of literature sort of led directly into that, because I was like, ‘Oh, this is just taking books and then putting all those ideas on stage and acting them out.’”
For Mr. Fahrer, the connection between literature and theater is deeply personal. “I’ve always been an emotional person, and I don’t think I’ve ever watched a show where I haven’t cried, and that feeling alone connects you to being a human,” he said. “I think literature and theater both do that in a way that I just have not found with any other art form.”
Beyond his passion for the arts, Mr. Fahrer inspires his students to reach their fullest potential by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. “Finding ways to push them out of their comfort zone a little bit more is how I help them grow,” he said.
Mr. Fahrer’s dedication to his students extends beyond academics. I love learning about my students’ different perspectives, especially because I didn’t get that growing up, he said.
“If I wasn’t taking his theater arts class, I was in his fall plays. If I wasn’t his GT, I’d be hanging out with him at lunch every day. Point being, Mr. Fahrer creates such a welcoming and heartwarming environment that people such as myself naturally gravitate towards him and his classes,” senior Tiffany Albornoz said.
“Not only does he care about a student’s success, but he cares about them as a person,” she added.
Mr. Fahrer grew up in Denville and attended Ramapo College, where he majored in Literature and Secondary Education with a minor in Theater. Initially, he was considering a major in business, but he quickly realized his passion lay in literature and its ability to inspire thought and change. He recently earned his master’s degree in Theatre Of Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Change at Montclair State University.
“Mr. Fahrer is one of the most genuine humans I know, and it is a pleasure getting to work alongside him,” Ms. Sanchez said. “He is always willing to help others and he cares so deeply for his students. I know he has impacted so many lives in his years of teaching and will continue to impact more.”
“We are lucky to have him here in the Morris Hills family,” she concluded.