By Darlene Bowers
Welcome to the Ada Icon’s “Ada Teacher Feature.” Here we share thoughts and insights from local teachers who lift up and inspire our students. Let us lift up and inspire these educators as well. Today we meet Josh Klein.
Did you have a teacher who was excited about teaching? What a gift! Read on to learn more about Josh Klein….world traveler, barista, mathematician, churchgoer, equestrian and so much more. There just may be a quiz at the end to see if you know how many countries Josh Klein has visited so far
What subjects and grades are you currently teaching?
High School Mathematics: Algebra 1, Integrated Mathematics 3, Dogs Volunteer, and Manufacturing Foundations.
What extracurricular activities, groups, clubs, sports are you are involved with?
Varsity Cross Country, Junior High Track and Field, and Aspirations.
Where did you graduate from high school and college?
Bowling Green State University: BS in Adolescent Young Adult Integrated Mathematics Education, and high school: Tuslaw High School (Massillon, Ohio)
How long in teaching profession?
This is my third year.
Why are you a teacher?
I wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in fifth grade. I considered many different subjects, such as music and Spanish, but ultimately decided to stick with mathematics. Despite changing my mind of what I wanted to teach, one thing has remained constant; my desire to work with kids and be a positive role model in the lives of my students.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by the students. It is exciting to see light bulbs go off during class, or see a student who has struggled with math in the past finally solve a problem that they never thought they would be able to solve.
What’s the best thing students can do for you?
Show me their best effort and give an honest attempt before giving up. I help each and every one of my students, but it means so much more to me when I see that they have tried everything they know how to do instead of coming and asking me to do a problem for them.
What’s the best thing parents andcaregivers can do for you?
Stay on top of your students' progress and motivate them to do their best! Students need as much support as home as they can get!
What makes Ada schools unique or different?
The staff. I moved here after graduating from college without knowing anyone. The staff welcomed me in as part of the family and was there to help me out during my first year; especially after I had been in a major accident and was stranded without a car!
We (myself and the students) are blessed to have such a caring group of individuals who will help out in any capacity. From the secretaries, cafeteria workers, maintenance staff, administration and fellow teachers, I couldn't ask to have anyone better to serve alongside in caring for and teaching the youth in our community.
Best or most memorable teaching moment?
I would have to say that my most memorable moment so far is being given the opportunity to travel overseas to England and France with a group of this year’s seniors and recent Ada graduates.
I was able to go to Europe with one of my teachers the summer before my senior year of high school, so it was very rewarding to be able to switch roles and experience it this time as a teacher.
The students (and myself) were so excited learning about the history of World War II and getting to see all of the iconic sites of London, Normandy, and Paris. This is definitely a trip the students and myself will be talking about for years.
What excites, interests and captivates you inside the classroom?
I am excited about what I teach. The students will actually laugh and shake their heads at how "geeked out" I get about math. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and showing them how fun math can actually be. Yes, I said MATH and FUN in the same sentence.
What excites, interests and captivates you outside the classroom?
Aside from teaching math, I also enjoy riding horses, traveling, making/drinking coffee, and being involved with my church.
I have had the opportunity to combine some of my hobbies with summer jobs such as working at a horse camp for several summers and this past summer as a barista at Common Grounds in Bluffton.
I also really enjoy traveling and visiting new places. I enjoy seeing the world and intend to make it to each continent at some point in my life. In fact, the current number of countries I have visited is somewhere around 15-16 (some of these twice)!
If you weren’t a teacher/teaching what would you be doing?
If I wasn't teaching, I would probably open up a coffee shop here in Ada. I really enjoy the coffee shop culture, and would love to provide a place for people to come and gather, or even sit alone for hours and get lost in a book or studying.
