Ben McElwee is a math new teacher for the 24-25 school year who teaches Algebra 1, algebra 1 lab and pre-algebra. If he had to choose what classes to teach he would stay with the classes he has because it is a math course that he mastered. This is McElwee’s first year of teaching; he is a new graduate from Maryville University. When he was going to school he actually wanted to pursue history, but he has always been good at math so he went to school for that. He decided to go into teaching because his mother suggested that he should be a teacher.
“I really liked helping my classmates and tutoring them in school when I was younger,” McElwee said.
McElwee is also the sponsor of the Black Student Union club. He is excited to really get started doing stuff with the club. McElwee said that there are many students in the club and they are all excited to start the meetings and the activities. He is also looking forward to seeing how the students act and interact with one another outside of the school setting. He already has some plans in store.
“We have meetings every other week. We go on a field trip at the end of the year, we have fundraisers. We really just spread positivity, talk about Black history, spread awareness,” McElwee said.
McElwee has loved his first few weeks of teaching. He was expecting it to be more challenging, but he says that he’s having a good time.
““Teaching is a lot but I have no complaints… not as hectic and chaotic like I thought it would be,” McElwee said.
