This story about Teacher of the Year at Hazelwood makes plain why we need to be able to support a transition from other professional fields into teaching. Jason Dinwiddie was a journalist before trying his hand at teaching, and he found that not only was he good at it—he was GREAT at it and brought a real passion to the classroom.
Upon his return to the St. Louis area, Dinwiddie became a substitute teacher - a choice that had more to do with the job market than a change of heart, he said.
But something happened when he went into a classroom.
"It was the most natural job I think I've ever had," Dinwiddie said. "I discovered I had a knack for it, where every other job I had, I had to work really hard to try to do it."
The reason had to do with who was in the classroom.
"I really enjoyed working with kids," said Dinwiddie, 34, who has taught at Hazelwood East for the last five years. "There is a unique satisfaction you get from being able to help a student enjoy Shakespeare."
He started working as a permanent substitute teacher and was offered a teaching position the following year. He had to go back to school to obtain his certification.
Dinwiddie now teaches an English class and also works as an instructor in the school's Options program that offers more individualized instruction.
He also led the class that assembles the school's yearbook, the Pegasus.
His work with the Florissant Kiwanis Club has helped get the school involved in community service projects. He also works with the school's recycling club.
Dinwiddie said the recognition spotlights some of the school's quality educational efforts, he said.
It's also the third time in the last four years that the district's Teacher of the Year has come from Hazelwood East. Vocal teacher Robert Swingler and math teacher Robin Gray are recent recipients.
The award was a surprise. Dinwiddie heard about it during a cell phone call from the school while he was grocery shopping.
"They gave me the news right when I was checking out," he said. "The only person I had to share it was the guy who was ringing me out. I said 'I just got some great news,' and he said, 'I could tell.'"
Dinwiddie's colleagues also are excited.
"He is so very, very deserving of this award," said Jill Farrar, communications skills department chairperson at Hazelwood East. "The award is a testament to his hard work, late hours, dedication to students and outstanding teaching skills."
Dinwiddie said teaching skills tend to evolve over the first few years of a career.
He said he tries to engage students - to listen to what they have to say.
"You have to be real," Dinwiddie said.
That means trying to not to be all things to all people in a classroom situation, he said.
The photojournalism bug hasn't completely gone away. Dinwiddie remains an avid wildlife photographer, particularly of birds such as blue herons and bald eagles. He and his wife also like to cook so much that they've thought about opening a restaurant.
But Dinwiddie said he still sees himself as a Hazelwood East teacher five years from now. Perhaps it's inevitable. Along with his father's teaching career, his mother Linda teaches in the Ritenour School District. His brother Ben is a social studies teacher at McCluer North High School, and another brother is studying to become a mathematics teacher.
"(Around) my third year (of teaching), a student took her schedule home to her mom," he said. "(Her mom) said, 'Oh, I had Mr. Dinwiddie,' then she said, 'How old is he? He's got to be, like, in his 70s.'"
The mother later wrote Dinwiddie a letter of support.
"She said she hoped her future grandchildren will be taught by future Mr. or Mrs. Dinwiddies," he said.
Let’s make sure that all future Mr. or Mrs. Dinwiddies, all future Teachers of the Year, have an clear road into teaching.
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