- November 18, 2024
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Passion for Photography
Steven Sobel, 32, said, “It’s been a long time coming,” but he’s finally found his passion. The May graduate of Daytona State’s Associate of Science in Photography program has experienced a string of successes since first picking up a camera four years ago.
He was recognized for outstanding achievement by his professors and in April, his “Small Worlds” was featured among the best short films at the Florida Film Festival. You also can see his work in the Orlando Sentinel, where he’s been an intern while completing his photography studies, as well as on his website stevensobelphotography.com.
His is a career path that came quite by accident, and only after he stepped back to reflect on his life and focus on the big picture. Soon after graduating in 2004 from the University of North Florida with a bachelor’s degree in history, Sobel said he had trouble finding his feet. After a few law classes left him uninspired, he took basic jobs while figuring out next steps.
He cleaned pools, delivered pizzas, anything just to get by, but a far cry from what might be expected of a 1999 Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate who earned Bright Futures and National Merit scholarships. Then in 2010, a trip with his father out West to visit national parks changed everything.
With every click of his camera, Sobel discovered a passion for photography igniting inside him. His final DSC project exemplifies his talent for both imagery and topic choice - he documented athletes in their sport side by side with their classroom look. His goal: to work as a photojournalist and capture stories through images.
Lawyer finds fulfillment in switch to teaching
James Thrall, 47, of Palm Coast, believes the true measure of success lies in how we help make the world a better place, and he’s decided to do it one child at a time.
The Michigan transplant will graduate from Daytona State’s Educator Preparation Institute when the college holds its 54th-annual commencement on May 13 and begin a new career as a teacher.
It’s a titanic shift from his prior career as an attorney, where for 15 years he practiced family, divorce and criminal law in the Wolverine State. But he said teaching provides a sense of satisfaction and purpose that eluded him when he was practicing law.
“As an attorney, I witnessed much of the worst that people had to offer - and that helped me see the importance of helping people be their best,” he said, adding that being an educator gives him that opportunity and fulfillment.
Daytona State’s EPI is a state-approved pathway to alternative teaching certification for people who already have a degrees. EPI students take 20 instructional credit hours that include field experiences in area schools, mentoring and modeling. Thrall said he was impressed by the program’s proactive focus on behavioral management.
The experience already landed him a temporary teaching position at Buddy Taylor Middle School in Palm Coast. This summer, he will take the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations to earn his five-year Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate. At that point, he will be eligible for permanent employment.
He said middle school teaching is a good fit for him.
“It’s a good place to possibly influence kids, to model appropriate behavior and, hopefully, have an impact on them where they develop that intrinsic drive to learn and succeed,” he said. “When we leave this earth someday, we had better leave it with a positive impact. If you’re going to create waves, why not create positive waves, where every time you touch someone, it creates another positive wave?”
