Education & Training

James Gordon

Teacher

High School: Highland Springs ('99)

Career & Technical Ed. Program Studied: Early Childhood Education

Additional Studies/Training: James Madison University (B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies [Education major])

Head of the Class

Even as a high school student, James Gordon was preparing to become a teacher. The Early Childhood Education class he took as a senior introduced him to the basics of classroom life, from lesson plans and bulletin boards to interaction with children.

That class also gave him his first chance to interact with pupils. “Every week, kindergarten children would come into our class and we’d do lessons with them. It was a great experience for the little kids, as well as for us.”

As a middle-school math teacher, James now deals with older pupils, but it’s still a positive experience. “Working with students … making a connection with them … that’s the most rewarding thing.”