I've been teaching for eight years. I was preparing for my ninth year when a new opportunity came up in July. As a result, I am leaving the classroom for the radio studio full time. It was truly a difficult decision. Many of you here are coworkers, and several others are former students. I can't individually message you all to tell you, though I was tempted.
It's been one hell of a ride. I started teaching in 2014 - I also got picked up at RedState at the time to contribute on their front page - and I began teaching English. Since then, I've taught ELA, social studies, career education, high school social studies, and middle school computer science. I have been a basketball and soccer coach. I've spent so much time at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy that some days I Was there more than I was home.
I made it through a pandemic. I made it through personal crises. I made it through some of the biggest challenges I've ever faced, but every time I found it difficult to go to work, I knew I had excellent friends to keep me going. They know who they are, and whether they know it or not, they kept me from quite literally snapping like a twig.
I resigned today in order to jump headfirst into a career in radio. It's somewhat funny. If I had a massive ego, I would find it auspicious that this all falls on August 1, the day Rush Limbaugh went national. But I don't have ambitions to go national. I just want to pursue my first (career) love.
DTSMA isn't rid of me, of course. I'll still be visiting the campus. I'll still watch soccer and basketball. I'll still text the same people who kept me sane all these years. But it is time to start a new adventure. I will be grateful to the school for giving me a home for nearly a decade, and I could not have started teaching or had the courage to make this jump without my wife's encouragement.
I will be writing at RedState and I will be writing at 96.5 KPEL. You'll hear me on the radio every day from 3-4 p.m. for my show and 4-6 p.m. for Offsides. I'm also going to register as a substitute for LPSS, and I'm going to share your teacher wish lists when I can. I'm not going anywhere, but I will be changing my morning commute.
Thank you, everyone, and good luck this school year.