Mr. Thompson, a teacher at Argo High School, has been teaching subjects like history and psychology for 20+ years.
He is one of the most tenured teachers in Argo and is recognized for his outgoing and “go with the flow” attitude.
Mr. Thompson is a seasoned veteran at teaching and has a lot of things to say about it.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Why did you want to become a teacher?
I could help students expand their knowledge of a field that I had passion in. I try to spark an interest in a field I find fascinating.
When did you know teaching was your calling card?
Fifth grade. I got glasses and couldn’t be Maverick in Top Gun anymore. I had to find another career other than a naval aviator.
Was there any other jobs that you considered?
If I would of gotten my master’s degree, I could of worked at a museum. I didn’t get my master’s degree in history; I got it in psychology.
What are some stereotypes that you hear about being a history teacher?
How do you teach the same boring stuff 4-5 times a day? Why didn’t you want to do something else in your life? All those questions. It never bothered me hearing those stereotypes.
Is teaching what you expected it to be?
Prior to the advent of smartphones, yes. Some think of it as a positive thing because you have the world at your disposal. Unfortunately, kids don’t use phones for educational purposes. It’s mainly used for entertainment. The negative side is our attention span has dropped significantly.
What’s your philosophy of teaching?
I want kids to be exposed to as many different perspectives as possible, to think about stuff critically and be able to judge for themselves.
Favorite teaching memories?
Graduation. Seeing kids walk across the stage that you’ve had an impact on. Seeing kids in the community that I taught having jobs, that’s the greatest success, knowing I had a role and hopefully improve their outlook on life. I enjoy teaching siblings over the years because both are unique individuals that have their own perspective.
What was the pandemic like?
Pros were not having to battle traffic to come to work. The cons were numerous. We’re social creatures, and having an authentic discussion online was difficult. I don’t think I would have stayed a teacher if that was the route it would have gone.
What keeps you motivated to keep teaching?
The support from my bosses makes me feel what I’m doing is important. The money is nice, as anybody with a job would tell you. Seeing kids stay curious and learn something new or think about something in a different way. If I teach them to approach the world, I have done what I needed to do in a day.
Any lesson that you would like to pass on?
If you want to become a teacher, think about that one hard. It’s worthwhile because of what you’re doing. Stay hungry. Keep going after knowledge.
