Many students only get to know their teachers by who they are in the classroom, but who are they when they step outside of school? After having conversations with multiple Pingree teachers, I uncovered intriguing aspects of their lives outside of teaching, ranging from hopes to to be a professional athlete and a musician to hobbies in needle pointing and a love for taking care of children. 

Mr. Vantuyl: You may know Mr. Vantuyl as the Pingree ski coach or the charismatic chemistry teacher, but his interests stretch out onto green golf courses and 100-yard football fields. Beginning in 7th grade, Mr. Vantuyl found an interest in golf and still pursues it to this day. Golf for him is a leisure activity, but as a wide receiver in football he was a competitive athlete which explains why if he was not a teacher he would want to be a professional football player. He enjoys the teamwork, accountability, and playmaking aspects of the game, and of course the celebrity status that comes with being a professional athlete. Watch out for him on the fields!

Ms. McCoy: When Ms. McCoy is not delving into the history of our nation, she might be needlepointing. This hobby began when she was 12 years old and learned the cross stitch. More recently she found a needlepointing kit at a thrift store which provided her with a beneficial use of her time that is not a screen. If Ms. McCoy did not pursue teaching, her dream career would be a trauma nurse. She finds she works well in crisis situations and loves to be helpful. She studied the field of treaty and tribal laws which can apply to both history and helping those in crisis. 

Ms. Richards: We all know Ms Richards as our friendly French teacher, but her other passions and pastimes include leisurely beach walks, exploring nature with her 5-year-old son, and traveling New England. She cherishes the time spent with her son, and loves going on adventures with him. You may notice how Ms. Richards incorporates art history into her classroom because she studied it in college. If she was not a teacher she would enjoy working at a museum, and she has a passion for art and finds museums fascinating. 

Mr. Maclaughlin: Mr Maclaughlin flips through pages of novels and uncovers hidden messages during the weekdays, but on Sunday afternoons you will find him on the ice, playing in his adult hockey league. He has played hockey since he was 5, and still fulfills this passion today. Not only is he an athlete he is also a musician. He can play both electric and acoustic guitar, and says that if he was not a teacher his dream career would be to play in a garage band. Guitar is a talent he picked up later in his life because he developed quite the liking to strumming the strings. Currently one of his favorite songs to play is James Taylor’s Sweet Baby James.

These are just glimpses into some of our teachers’ lives that extend beyond the classroom. You may never know that your chemistry teacher was a high school football champion or that your English teacher plays in a hockey league. Maybe next time you’re in class ask your teacher what they enjoy. You might not expect the answers they give you, but you can learn a lot about them as people!