A High School Teacher Gets a Surprise Applause

Central Catholic High School in Southeast Portland buzzed with excitement when Senator Cory Booker made a spontaneous stop at the campus. The New Jersey senator was on a book tour that appears to be testing the waters for a future presidential run.

Instead of a typical speech, Booker filmed himself in front of the school’s science lab and called out to Holly Frank, a teacher who guides students through experiments in biology, chemistry, and physics. In the short clip, he said that Frank “does an awesome job” and praised her for shaping future leaders through STEM.

“Teachers like Holly are essential in building the next generation of problem‑solvers,” Booker remarked. He added that a student had spoken highly of her, which convinced him to give her a shout‑out.

Booker finished the video by introducing one of Frank’s students, encouraging them to keep learning and promising a future meeting. The school posted the clip online, sparking conversations about the impact of dedicated educators on student success.

The event highlighted how public figures can spotlight everyday heroes in education, reminding us that recognition matters for both teachers and the students they inspire.