Hello!! My name is Samantha Garcia. I had an assignment for my college class and I had to write about a person who inspired and changed my life for the good. This is the essay that I wrote for him. I hope you like it.
You might be wondering why I’m writing about a “simple” teacher. After all, isn’t every teacher just someone who imparts knowledge and helps students prepare for their future? But the teacher I want to tell you about was anything but ordinary. His name was Charles Criniere, and he wasn’t just a teacher—he was an angel. An angel at Grandview High School, who changed the lives of countless students in ways that are hard to put into words. It’s because of him that I found my way through some of the darkest times in my life.
Charles Criniere was born in Chicago, and though he may have left his hometown behind to teach in Grandview, his spirit was undeniably connected to the city. Chicago was known for its grit, for its hard-working people, and for a deep sense of community. Charles brought all of that with him, creating a community in his classroom, one where students felt valued and understood, no matter their background or struggles.
For so many of us, Mr. Criniere was more than just a teacher—he was a friend, a counselor, a confidant. I remember walking into his classroom, not just for the lesson plans or the assignments, but for the peace of mind he gave us. It wasn’t just his knowledge of history or literature that made him stand out, but his ability to truly listen and empathize with us, even when we didn’t know how to express what we were going through.
I wasn’t the only one who sought comfort from Mr. Criniere. Over the years, he helped students cope with a variety of challenges. There were students battling depression, those grieving the loss of family members, and others struggling with anxiety or bullying. No matter what they were facing, he always knew just how to make them feel safe. His door was always open—whether it was to talk about life, God, or just to take a moment of refuge from the chaos that often swirled around us.
Mr. Criniere had a unique way of lightening the mood, no matter the circumstance. His humor was infectious, and even on the toughest days, he could always make us laugh. His jokes weren’t just funny—they were healing. He understood that life was hard and that sometimes we needed a little laughter to get us through. And even when he cracked jokes, there was always wisdom behind them. He’d say things like, “Don’t take life too seriously—it’s not like you’re going to get out alive anyway,” and somehow, it made us feel like everything was going to be okay.
He didn’t just teach us about academics. He taught us about life. His lessons weren’t always in textbooks or PowerPoint slides. They were in the conversations he had with us after class, in the quiet moments when we needed advice or guidance. He often spoke about his faith, about God, and how faith could help guide you through the hardest parts of life. He wasn’t preachy or judgmental—he just spoke from the heart, always encouraging us to believe in something bigger than ourselves.
One of the most powerful things Mr. Criniere did was make us feel seen. For many of us, school wasn’t just a place to learn—it was a refuge. We weren’t always able to go home to a supportive environment, but in his classroom, we were accepted. He didn’t just see us as students; he saw us as people—whole, complicated, and worthy of love. For students struggling with mental health, for those whose parents had passed, for anyone feeling lost, he was the light that guided us through our darkest hours.
There was one student in particular, a girl named Emily, who struggled with severe depression. She often came to school looking defeated, her head down, her eyes distant. One day, after a particularly hard week, she stayed after class, almost too scared to speak. But Mr. Criniere, as always, didn’t force anything. He just sat with her, quietly. He talked to her about the importance of small steps, of taking things one day at a time, and of trusting that things would get better. Over time, Emily’s demeanor shifted. She began to smile more, to talk to the other students, and most importantly, she started believing in herself again. She always credits Mr. Criniere with saving her from a path she wasn’t sure she could come back from.
For me, personally, Mr. Criniere helped me through a tough time in my life. When I lost my father, I felt as though my world was crumbling. I didn’t know how to move forward. But somehow, Mr. Criniere knew exactly what I needed. He didn’t try to “fix” me or offer empty words of comfort. Instead, he let me grieve in my own way, giving me the space to feel the pain while offering a steady hand when I needed it most. His simple words, “It’s okay to not be okay,” became a mantra for me during those dark days. They gave me permission to heal at my own pace.
Sadly, in August of 2022, Charles Criniere passed away. The world lost an extraordinary person that day—an angel who had spent his life giving so much of himself to others. For many of us, it felt like the light had gone out of Grandview High School. The halls felt emptier without his presence, the classrooms quieter without his laughter. But while he may no longer be with us physically, his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched.
He left behind a beautiful family—a wife who loved him deeply and ten incredible children who were blessed to have him as a father. The love and warmth that he shared with us was rooted in the same love and warmth he gave to his own family. And for that, we are all grateful.
This story is dedicated to Charles Criniere and his family. He wasn’t just a teacher to us; he was an angel. The kind of angel that showed us how to be better people, how to love ourselves, and how to have faith in the world around us. Mr. Criniere may have passed on, but his lessons, his kindness, and his love will forever echo in our hearts. He will never be forgotten and he will forever be my angel.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful reminder of Charlie