- November 5, 2024
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Q: Why do you think you think you have been awarded Teacher of the Year?
A: I figure it was either a very lean year or the best candidates, of which there are quite a few more deserving than I at FPCHC, must have all tied for first, so the committee members settled for a distant runner-up, since they could not break the deadlock.
Actually, I am honored and flattered that I was even considered. FPC is blessed with an outstanding faculty comprised of some of the most professional, forward-thinking men and women I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Yes, that is a dangling preposition.
Q: Why do you love teaching?
A: My love for teaching ultimately stems from my high school and college experiences. My high school teachers possessed content-rich knowledge in their respective subjects, taught with verve and animation and exhibited a genuine enthusiasm for teaching combined with a respect for their students — something that indelibly impressed me and undoubtedly influenced my career choice. As an English teacher, I was fortunate to attend classes at Washington University in St. Louis taught by some of the modern masters, such as William Gass, Howard Nemerov and Stanley Elkin. Following college and despite initially going into the private sector, deep down I knew my calling thanks to those who had the patience to educate me.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: This year marks 32 years I have been in public education, 24 of them at FPC. Between Florida and Texas, I have taught all levels of secondary language arts as well as history and German. Currently, I teach IB English Literature Higher Level, Year 1 and have served as International Baccalaureate Diploma Program coordinator and Advanced Placement coordinator for the past ten years.
Q: How would you describe your teaching style?
A: When the Nobel Prize winning writer Ernest Hemingway was asked about what became known as the “Hemingway style” of writing, he replied, “I have no style.” While I am no award-winning author, I concur that my style can be best classified as a lack of style. I don’t buy into a lot of pedagogical theory. Instead, style — if one can call it that — is innate. Those students whom you met briefly the other day perhaps put it the best when they told you I had a passion for what I taught. I think that makes the difference. The current trend of student-centered learning is so significant and applicable to today’s educational environment, but if the teacher, who also serves as facilitator, lacks passion for his or her subject, inevitably that is a disservice to the students. As an IB and AP coordinator, I am glad I have daily contact with my young scholars in the classroom, not just in the office.
