Mr. Christopher Eberle, a teacher of social studies at Hillsborough High School was called to the principal’s office on October 1 where he was surprised to find a camera crew along with his former student, Jon Seaton awaiting his arrival. Seaton, a 2020 Hillsborough High School Alumna turned social media influencer with over 2 million followers across multiple platforms and Rutgers varsity football player, nominated his former teacher for the award, gaining Eberle a box of Cheez-Its paraphernalia and $10,000 for the high school.
According to the College Football Playoff Foundation, the “Extra Yard for Teachers” award is dedicated to “elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering the most dedicated teachers.”
“I was gratified,” said Eberle of Seaton and the words they shared during their reunion. Eberle recalled Jon Seaton as a highly charismatic and talented public speaker.
Eberle has spent 26 years connecting with students, 24 of which were here at Hillsborough High School. Eberle said his philosophy for keeping students connected and engaged is finding the balance between calm and laid back, while also fostering an environment curated towards learning. “I take history very seriously. I don’t take myself very seriously,” said Eberle. Eberle says he uses a lot of humor to help kids feel relaxed and to maintain a habitat for respect that is also lively and fun. Eberle found that students, like Seaton especially, responded well to an environment like this.
Other former students seem to agree. Lauren Daniels, a senior at Hillsborough High School, called Eberle, “the perfect example of a teacher with a class that has a balance between fun and learning.” Daniels went on to say that Eberle never shied away from his responsibility as a teacher to make class fun or amusing, and he always maintained that equilibrium. Though Daniels had him her sophomore year, she says she would still call Eberle one of her favorite teachers. “We always had fun,” she said.
Eberle won thousands of dollars for the high school and for his classroom. When asked what he’d do with his classroom’s portion of the money, he –in true Eberle fashion– said he intends to use the money to benefit his students by putting some of it towards his annual trip to the Intrepid Museum.
