The Story of a Teacher – A Journey Through the Classroom

In the early days of his career, Sean wasn’t dreaming of chalkboards or lesson plans. He was working at Babies R Us, managing aisles of cribs and baby toys, when a cashier shared a surprising tip – substitute teaching paid well, and you could choose your own schedule. It wasn’t the sort of thing Sean had imagined doing. His experience with kids had mostly been at Discovery Zone, making sure no one got buried too deep in the ball pit. But something about it sparked his interest. He told his mom, and together, they signed up in 2003.

His first assignment landed him at Parkway Middle School as a drama teacher. He was just out of high school himself, barely older than the students sitting in front of him. They talked over him, ignored his instructions, and carried on as if he weren’t there. Sean spotted a gong in the corner of the room. In a last-ditch effort to regain control, he grabbed the mallet and struck it with everything he had. The room fell silent. The students looked at him, wide-eyed and confused. Sean quietly sat down, realizing perhaps there were better ways to run a classroom.

The second day was better. At Silver Ridge Elementary, Sean worked with children who faced challenges like Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. One child was known to punch if you got too close. Sean stayed cautious, but by the end of the day, he had only been punched once – and to him, that was a victory.

Sean’s journey took him to schools all over the county, from pre-K classrooms to high school television production classes. Sometimes, he found himself teaching at the very schools he had once attended. He began to develop little tricks to keep students focused – like the Paperclip Game, where talking during quiet time meant you inherited the clip. By the end of the day, the last person holding it had to explain their behavior.

Leaving behind thoughtful, detailed reports for teachers became another hallmark of Sean’s work. These reports caught the attention of staff, and before long, his calendar was booked solid with requests.

At the end of his first year, Sean had primarily worked at two schools: Silver Ridge and Mirror Lake Elementary. Both schools extended job offers. One was to work with children with autism, while the other, at Silver Ridge, was a position as a teacher’s assistant in a fitness class. The fitness job came with freedom—no papers to grade, no parents to call—just teaching. Sean chose Silver Ridge.

At first, he traveled from class to class, teaching from a cart. Determined to keep things interesting, he wrote songs for the students about skin care and health, introduced projects, and created class mascots – starting with Mr. Gund, a plush basketball, before swapping him out for Chester D. Doogle, a puppet with a less alarming name.

By the next year, Sean was given his own classroom. Chester D. Doogle became part of the lessons, and Sean performed stand-up comedy for his students. It wasn’t just teaching—it was entertainment.

Outside the classroom, Sean built websites, uploaded videos for the kids, and created a space called “Chester is Cool,” which became a hit in multiple schools.

When Silver Ridge built a new computer lab, Sean was offered a job as the technology teacher. He didn’t just teach typing – his students created mock businesses, filmed commercials, and learned skills far beyond their years. Sean volunteered with the school’s micro tech, fixing computers and troubleshooting equipment.

One winter, after returning from break, Sean was approached with unexpected news. The micro tech was moving to Boston, and the school wanted him to step into the role. It meant more money – nearly double his salary – but it also meant leaving the classroom behind. Sean accepted the offer.

To stay connected with the kids, he created “Russell’s Roving Reporters,” a morning news club where students learned to write, shoot, and edit their own segments. For 14 years, that club gave young students a voice and a chance to shine.

Sean wore many hats – supervising safety patrol, running student council, and managing aftercare programs. Even while working as a micro tech, he remained deeply involved in the school community. In 2017, his peers voted him School-Related Employee of the Year. He became a finalist for the district award as well.

But the journey wasn’t without its hardships. In 2008, as budgets tightened, Sean was laid off. It wasn’t personal – just policy. But overhearing the principal say, “Sean’s a big boy, he’ll figure it out,” left a sting he wouldn’t forget.

Yet the school fought to keep him. By shifting part of his salary to aftercare funds, Sean stayed on as micro tech.

Years passed, and Sean’s career flourished. In 2013, feeling restless and financially strained, he considered leaving. He was sleeping in his car, working nights at Blockbuster, and scraping by.

That’s when a coworker mentioned an opening for the Broward County District Webmaster. The job description sounded like it was written just for him. He applied and made it to the final interview, where his personal website played on the projector. Weeks later, he received the call – he got the job.

Leaving Silver Ridge after more than a decade wasn’t easy. The school had become his second home. But Sean kept coming back every morning for the announcements – because for him, teaching and inspiring kids wasn’t just a job. It was his calling.