Many Shadow Ridge students don’t know much about the administrators that surround them everyday. Most forget that teachers and hall monitors also have their own lives outside of the classroom environment. One teacher who has an occupied life outside of school is Mr. Forbes, a 10th grade English teacher at Shadow Ridge. Although, on a more personal level, he has not always been interested in teaching.
Forbes explains, “My teaching journey began when I was majoring in accounting and taking science classes, hoping for a possible switch into a pre-med future. During this time, I took a required English class where the teacher changed the way I viewed the world, helping me discover who I was through reading and writing. I decided that I needed to be a teacher to help others find themselves as well.”
Mr. Forbes has been teaching at Shadow Ridge since last year. In his class, students are required to work with each other and share their opinions. Forbes works to make his students feel comfortable and known. Outside of the classroom he likes to live an active lifestyle with his wife.
“My time is spent doing CrossFit, road biking, hiking, pickle-ball, and paddle boarding. I am at my happiest when I am working out or enjoying the outdoors. Luckily, my wife enjoys all of the same things, so we are always having fun as a family.”
Overtime, Forbes has altered his life to have a more open mindset. This change really opened up his opportunities in everyday life as well as in the workplace. Since he recently became a dad this year, he has learned to thrive in his adult life as well.
“I used to be someone who preferred staying in my comfort zone. This caused me to remain stagnant in my goals, as well as my mental/physical health. I now conquer my fears by forcing myself in front of them, learning from failures, and turning weakness to strength. If I didn’t do this, I would not have found any of my hobbies, passions, or close friends.”
By balancing his home life with his new baby, and in the classroom with his teaching career, Mr Forbes works to stay positive and diligent.
Junior Cole Johansen explains, “Mr. Forbes is one of those teachers who actually tries to get to know his students on a personal level. He helps a lot of people feel comfortable in his classroom.”
