Student teacher Chris Much is student teaching with the long-term subs who have been filling in for the previous math teacher Jeff Hetcher.
Student teachers do not usually have the luck that Much has in finding a job right after student teaching.
“I started student teaching in Waupaca, and I saw the opening online. I applied not expecting to get it because it seemed like a position that needed to be filled immediately. I got put in the best situation, not many people get to student teach in the classroom that their career will start in,” Much said.
Along with how important it is for students to make connections and feel comfortable with their teachers, it is also important for their teacher to get to know them and the ways they learn best.
“I am learning how to figure out what strategies I want to use for each class, learn each student’s performance level and their learning preferences,” Much said.
Students are able to get to know Much, knowing that he will soon take over the position. Much shared his interests with students.
“I am in a bowling league and family is very important to me. I enjoy DIY projects, I recently resided my house for example. I also enjoy sports. My favorite teams are the Bucks and the Packers,” Much said.
Much wants students to understand his past before he started his teaching career.
“I joined the Marines right after high school and that’s what I was convinced would be my career. As a Sergeant teaching my junior Marines I found my passion in teaching, I just didn’t realize it yet. After the military I went to school to be an electrician and worked a couple other construction jobs, service industry and still own my own business,” Much said. “Once my daughter was born I finally made the connection to how much I really enjoyed teaching. One of my goals as an educator is to introduce a new after school program to Berlin that teaches students how to do certain tasks that will be useful as an adult.”
From his experience, Much has some advice to offer his students.
“It’s taken me almost 10 years to find my passion in teaching; it’s never too late and you never know what the future has in store for you. I never would have thought when I was in high school that I would be a math teacher,” Much said.
Students can expect Much to take over full time teaching soon.
“As of now it will be January 17, possibly later but that is the set date,” Much said.