DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines Public Schools teacher is using history lessons to help students become better citizens for the future.

Patrick Brennan teaches US History to eighth graders at Merrill Middle School and is known for what’s in his mug.

“This class runs off of tea,” Brennan said. 

“People like how he drinks tea a lot,” student Payton Rayburn said. “He can’t go in class without drinking tea. That’s one defining characteristic of him.”

Mr. Brennan is also known to make his students think.

“Social studies is really about critical thinking,” Brennan said. 

Mr. Brennan is often the one asking the questions in his classroom. His students say the answers don’t always come easily.

“You have to come up with it yourself,” student Jersey Durham said. “And when we’re doing class discussions, he keeps on pushing you and pushing you until you get it, but he never tells you the answer.”

Except when we asked him why he wanted to become a teacher. 

“Oh, that’s a solid question,” Brennan said. “To indirectly change the world. I ask the questions, the students determine how they feel about things, and they’re the ones who change the world. You know, they’re the future.”

It’s that teaching philosophy that made students nominate their history teacher for a Golden Apple.

“This is truly an honor. Thank you all so very much,” Brennan said after accepting the award. “You guys have made this quite easy on me. This is by far one of the best years I’ve ever had teaching and that’s because of all of you.”

It’s a special moment for Brennan and his students.

“When we heard it was him, we all – me and my friends – jumped out of our seats and we were all so happy. It was awesome. We were really excited for him,” Rayburn said.

“When we nominated him, I didn’t think he was actually going to get it,” Durham said. “So when he did it made me really happy because he really does deserve it.”

A deserving teacher whose family now has two Golden Apple awards.

“It’s a really special award,” Brennan’s son, Rigby, said. “And it’s very nice when you see it.”

Brennan’s wife, Stephanie, also received the award when she was a teacher at Lincoln High School in 2018.

“It’s definitely full circle to get to see that come to fruition and see your hopes and dreams come true with your partner,” Stephanie Brennan said.

She now teaches at Roosevelt High School, where Merrill Middle School students will go next. Both parents are teaching at the schools their kids will attend. Mr. Brennan will have his daughter as a student next year. It’s a class she’s looking forward to.

“Because he’s a really good teacher and I like to learn,” Finnley Brennan said. “And with him as a teacher, he can help me do that.”

Mr. Brennan helps students learn and prepare for life. 

“He’s making them citizens for the future, right? And making them passionate about voting and their rights and he’s teaching them history,” Stephanie Brennan said. “And that’s what’s so important right now. And he does such a good job and makes kids really think for life about their place in this world and history and what they need to do to be better for the world.”

A world where Mr. Brennan still has a cup of tea in one hand, and now a Golden Apple in the other.

“These are some of the most amazing human beings I’ve met in my life and the fact that they were so proud and excited made me feel incredible,” Brennan said. “Getting that recognition was just above and beyond.”

This is Mr. Brennan’s second year at Merrill Middle School. Before that, he was at Meredith Middle School for about a decade.

You can watch the full interview with him below: