As we wrap up the year, I was curious what caused some of our teachers to want to become a teacher. I asked three different teachers in three different pathways why they decided to become a teacher and here were their responses:

Clifford Slusher (Science Teacher): “People have always made fun of and ridiculed those of us from Appalachia,  so after having been ridiculed one time too many, I quit my job that I had and became a teacher. The only way I knew how to stop it was to make students prevail. I became a teacher because I like helping people to work towards their future and goals in life. Just talking with students.”

Jordan Evans (Social Studies and German Teacher): “Mostly because I enjoy being in a classroom, I enjoy learning new things. I think teaching is a job where you get to learn new things while teaching the students”. He goes on to say, “My favorite part of the job is when students surprise me.” 

Corey Baum (Business Teacher): “I decided to become a teacher because I have a strong passion for helping the younger generation find their path in life. I wanted to be someone who could offer guidance, encouragement, and support as students make important decisions about their futures. Teaching gives me the opportunity to make a lasting difference in their lives. I’ve stayed in teaching because I genuinely love what I do. Every day brings something new, and I truly enjoy coming to work. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else because teaching is more than just a job to me—it’s a calling. My favorite part of teaching is watching my students grow into confident individuals. Seeing them realize they’re capable of more than they ever thought possible is incredibly rewarding. It’s amazing to witness their transformation and know I played a small part in that journey.”

Thank you to all our teachers for all you do.