If becoming a teacher is something you’ve been thinking about, the hardest part is often figuring out where to begin. The process can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing family and a full-time job. The good news is that…
One of the most common misconceptions about becoming a teacher is that you need to go back to college for another degree. For many adults—career changers, parents, veterans, and paraprofessionals—that assumption alone can stop the journey before it even…
Christmas shopping looks different when your children are grown.You’re no longer buying toys, dorm décor, or novelty gifts. Instead, you’re asking a bigger question: What would actually help them as they step into adulthood? If you're shopping for a…
When temperatures drop and daylight feels short, classroom energy can shift. Students become restless, routines get disrupted by weather delays, and teachers often feel stretched thin leading into the second semester. Fortunately, winter offers a perfect opportunity to refresh…
Wisconsin special education teacher Stephanie share's her path to teaching story. Read on to learn her story, in her words. Hello! I'm Stephanie Poplin. I'm excited to share my story as a Special Education teacher, and how American Board helped me…
Kaitlyn’s path to teaching began long before she entered her own classroom. “I was raised in a small town in Idaho," she explains, "surrounded by a family of hardworking farmers and influential educators.” Teaching showed up early in her…
Brad Burkhardt’s journey to becoming a teacher and coach begins right where his career now thrives—his hometown of Macon. “I grew up in Macon, I love this town and this school district,” he says. Today, Brad serves in several…
A Long, Winding Path to the Classroom Celebrating our Homegrown Heroes, we asked American Board graduate Mike Hemphill, Missouri teacher, to share his experience. Below, he details what led him down the a long road to teaching. Mike also…
Jillian Discovers Her Path to Teaching Jillian’s experience as a working-mom-turned-teacher begins in her hometown, where she grows up, works, and eventually finds her calling. She says she worked “at a local gym part-time and as a paraprofessional in…
Veterans bring a unique and powerful set of skills to the teaching profession. They apply their service, leadership, and dedication to create vibrant, structured, and student-focused classrooms. Notably, more than 100,000 Veterans have transitioned to teaching over the past 30 years.…
