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- When did you start teaching and why? I went to Pitt with no clue what to do after. I then became certified in English at Slippery Rock because of the majors from Pitt. I went into school counseling for my masters because I felt the fit was better. I decided to go international because I have the Bug, thanks to Sandra Simpson. The extreme emotions it pushes you to. This is why, despite the tough last 12 months, I’m continuing my school counseling in Tajikistan in August.
- What do you think makes you stand out from other substitute teachers?I don’t. Most of us are in a chaotic part of our lives. We are seeking stability somewhere else. Being a sub brings us down to earth. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’ve been, all of us subs have to deal with the middle school kid picking their nose.
- What is your favorite part of being a substitute teacher? The other subs. Currently, and in my first stint as a sub (2004-2013), there are some fascinating people with fascinating stories who sub. Mr. H and his time in South Carolina, Sandra Simpson who has a Libyan hostage and Taugat Sadat’s grandkids, Ron Thompson, who taught internationally for 20 years and saved a teacher’s life at Cairo American Collegewhen Cabby Tennis had a heart attack. Instead of “trying to be the show,” try and get to know subs for real life career advice or networking.
- What do you do in your free time? I love to play sports simulation games like Action PC Football, Baseball and Draft Day Pro Basketball. Because these are unlicensed games, modders do the rosters and artwork. This honny has led me to find fascinating people of all ages and all walks of life, I even have my voice in Pro Strategy Football 26. I also love to play card and dive sports games.
- What are some things that you have learned about our school and our students? These past few months have been enlightening. It used to be that middle school students were easy and high school students had the attitudes, now, 14 years later, it’s totally reversed. I’ve also detected irony and sarcasm aren’t picked up well so I have to be alot more boring when I sub. There’s definitely some good talent in this school. I wish students would bring others up rather than bringing themselves down.
- Is there anything else you would like to add? This school has had a lot of talent come from here. I wish they would build a hall of fame for non-sports related accomplishments. If students knew about Miss America Michelle McDonald, Masok General Robert Snow who was in charge of Nuclear weapons, Marieann Cornetti, world famous opera singer …etc. This makes me sit back in awe at this talent. There are Knoch alumniall over the world. I want the student who read the article to know that if you choose to do a career, no matter what it is, you can go anywhere. There are great teachers here who can help you get to where you get to where you want to go, that even rival the Knoch legends of the past like Creighton, Reinbolt, Sontum, Szbalski, Sarver, Heard, Greco, given, Wood, Stumble, Hilterman and Duran. If you knew about our pasta, you would look forward to being a part of our future.
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