What subject or subjects do you teach?
I currently teach Physical Education, Adaptive Physical Education and Health.
What sports do you coach?
Currently, I coach varsity football and varsity track and field. For football, I am the QB’s coach and Offensive Coordinator. For Track and Field, I coach the javelin throwers.
If you could teach another subject what would it be?
I am not sure what other subject I would teach, I was never really crazy about math, science, social studies, English… I took a philosophy of leadership course at ESU and really enjoyed that, so if that were a subject or course that is something I would teach.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I did not know I wanted to be a teacher right away in college. I went into ESU as an undecided major and was also fortunate enough to play Division 2 football. I knew I wanted to play football for as long as I could but also knew that at some point those days would end. In my second year, I decided to go into the Health and Physical Education Teachers Education program and loved it right away. I think what made me want to become a teacher were the people I was around from my coaches, teammates, equipment staff, athletic training staff, professors, etc. I was able to see the way they impacted those around them and I knew I wanted to make an impact on others. I felt that teaching was a perfect situation where I could educate and try to impact those around me.
What is your favorite part about teaching?
My favorite part about teaching is being able to interact with the students and see them succeed and do well.
What is one thing you learned from your students?
I learned from my students that a lot of them are very active/involved within the school and also within the community, so it is always cool to see what students are involved in and what they really like to do.
What makes you smile?
What makes me smile is when I explain or show a certain concept, movement, or skill, and then I can see students actually applying it to whatever activity they are trying to do.
If you had one piece of advice to give to your students, what would it be?
My one piece of advice to students would be to keep showing up. Whether it’s school, your job, internship, sports whatever it is, just keep showing up and putting your best foot forward. I believe that commitment to something goes a long way.