Thank you very much for allowing Officer Dan Yates (March 2017) to teach, speak and interact with my 121 students who are presently studying the United States Constitution. 

Officer Yates was extremely well-received by the students. In fact, all the feedback that I received from students and the additional feedback I asked another teacher to "casually" glean was exceptionally positive! 

The first 25-30 minutes of each class, Officer Yates covered habeas corpus, the definition and implementation of jurisdiction, the U.S. court system (circuit, appellate and supreme), and the four possible outcomes of a trial. The last 15-20 minutes were dedicated to interacting with the students and answering their pre-written homework questions revolving around the practical application of the Bill of Rights and any questions the students had in regards to the police. 

I do have a hidden agenda for bringing in a guest speaker like Officer Yates. Many of the students may have never had any personal contact with a police officer. For a myriad of reasons, I wanted the students to interact with a police officer like Officer Yates. 

Responding to a student question in one class, Officer Yates said he likes his job because he gets to help people. The students saw a personable law enforcement professional that really likes his job, enjoys his "front row seat to people's lives," respects the law and knows the Constitution thoroughly. Officer Yates not only did an excellent job covering the Constitution material, but he also represented the Geneva Police Department in a stellar fashion. 

Unfortunately, in our present world there has been disrespect directed at the police in recent years. I am convinced that Officer Yates made an indelibly, positive impression on the students, which will solidify the students' future desire to assist and support the police.  The exclamation point of the day was when one of the highest risk kids on the team volunteered to me how impressed she was with the officer!  

Thank you again Commander Nash for providing us with an officer of Officer Yates' character and knowledge of the Constitution to teach, speak and interact with the students of Geneva Middle School North.  

Sincerely,
James H. Cook
Geneva Middle School North Social Studies Teacher