SLATON, Texas (KCBD) – For many in Slaton, Leo Schneider was more than just a teacher – he was a mentor, role model and educator.<\/p>\n
For the past 15 years, Schneider was a science teacher at Slaton high school. Someone many tigers were eager to see, but that tragic day came last weekend when he was killed in a crash.<\/p>\n
Slaton superintendent Shelli Conkin says he was one of a kind.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, it\u2019s just surreal because you talk to him and see him one day, and then one day you never get to again,\u201d Conkin said. \u201dHe had great character, Leo was just a good guy, he just brightened up any room he walked into.\u201c<\/p>\n
She says Schneider wasn\u2019t just an educator, but someone who showed up for the kids day in and day out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe kids absolutely loved him,\u201d Conkin said. \u201cHe supported every kid, top to bottom, whether they were involved in everything or the kid who just came to school to get a degree, he cared about them and made sure that he knew they did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conkin says his memory will never be forgotten, and that his legacy as a Slaton tiger will always live on despite the sorrow many students are feeling now. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey have responded really well, right now it is a time, they are mourning, but also just remembering all the good things, so it\u2019s pretty cool to see the impact Leo did have,\u201d Conkin said. \u201cI think he would have loved to see it, it\u2019s such a shame they don\u2019t get to see that themselves, we hope he is looking down and seeing it, because the impact he made was tremendous.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just as he was a beloved educator, he was a beloved family-man as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh he loved his family has his daughter and son, he absolutely loved them, he talked about them all of the time, and I think he would just say he loves Slaton and that he bleeds red and black,\u201d Conkin said. \u201cI think he would say go get\u2019em tigers, he would yell in the stands all the time, go get\u2019em tigers, so I think that\u2019s what he is telling them now.\u201d<\/p>\n
While his time in the classroom has come to an unexpected end, Conkin says those who knew him say his lessons – both in education and in life – will continue to shape every student he inspired.<\/p>\n
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