120-Where Will Sturtevant be Teaching Next Year?

James Sturtevant Hacking Engagement

In the late summer of 1985, I experienced my first day of teaching at Mount Vernon High School in North Central Ohio. That steamy summer day was the inaugural faculty meeting. You know...the one where all the veteran teachers stare at the newbies as they're introduced. Before my principal, Mr. George Perry began the unveiling process, he paid homage to a retiring teacher. Up stepped a nondescript middle-aged man named Art Cassell. Mr. Perry began, "When Art started teaching in the fall of 1955..." Those were the last words I heard. I panicked! 1955...1955...I wasn't alive in 1955. How in the hell does anyone teach high school for 30 years, I thought. Then, I started to project into the future, "Will that be me in 2015? Will I be the old guy waddling up there to get my official pat on the back? I'll be like a museum exhibit."
I quickly learned, however, that teaching is a wonderful adventure. I couldn't get over how much I loved the work. I couldn't fathom in 1985 that I'd still be teaching high school in 2019, but here I am, at least, for a few more days. At the end of this week, I'll no longer teach high school.
This episode will explain exactly why at this juncture in the spacetime continuum I'm transitioning into a new role. Rest assured, this podcast will continue. In fact, in my new role preparing tomorrow's educators at the college level, I'll be inspired to dive even deeper into what creates engaging instruction. And, I'm thrilled that I'm simply migrating to a new classroom. I'll still be in front of students teaching. Rest assured, this podcast will also continue.
Thanks for listening so far and there's more to come!