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CHATFIELD - When Chatfield High School teacher Adam Archer's job was on the line, the first to come to his aid were his own students.

The high school students started sending letters and e-mail to Chatfield School Board members after they heard that a resolution relating to the termination of Archer's teaching contract was going to be on Monday night's agenda.

Last week 50 to 60 students met in a classroom to share their concerns for their teacher. More than 200 students signed a petition in favor of renewing Archer's contract.

Prior to the school board meeting, school administrators worked out an agreement that would allow Archer's contract to be renewed, but they did not give him tenure.

"We heard what they (the students) were saying," Superintendent Don Hainlen said. "Sometimes we have to make the correct decisions even when they aren't popular. We made this decision, because it was the best thing for the school district."

Senior Brandon Guderian, 18, attended the school board meeting Monday night with his parents. He read a statement to the board and administrators, thanking them for keeping Archer for another year.

"It means a lot to us that as young non-voting members of the community, we can have a strong voice and can help make a meaningful difference," he said.

He described his teacher as compassionate, professional and humble.

"He never asked for our support," Guderian said.

Guderian said Archer has volunteered his time at the Dorothy Day House in Rochester, was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and has helped organize blood drives with the Red Cross.

Guderian is especially grateful to Archer because he volunteered to teach an advanced psychology class to him and another classmate during his prep hour.

"We've learned from him how to be better people in our community," Guderian said. "I hope that my younger brother will have the same opportunity to appreciate Mr. Archer and his talents for many years to come."

Guderian's mother, Janet Guderian said Archer was the only teacher to ever call her and her husband to tell them how well their son was doing in school.

"We weren't home, so he left us a message on our answering machine," Janet said. "He told us what a great kid we have. We played it over and over.

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