Q&A with Michigan Teacher of the Year Corey Rosser
Corey Rosser is a social studies teacher at Quest High School in North Branch Area Schools. He’ll be writing a monthly blog for us starting in September, along with guest posts by the other Michigan Regional Teachers of the Year.
But first, he was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.
What is your teaching experience?
I have taught at Quest Alternative High School at North Branch Area Schools for 21 years. I have served as the Program Coordinator/Teacher since 2012. I have coached basketball for 20 years, track for 10 years and baseball for one year. I am also the summer school coordinator and teacher.
What is your mission/platform as Michigan Teacher of the Year?
As Michigan Teacher of the Year, I want to advocate for equitable resources and assessments for alternative schools. I also want to help teachers find their voice in the educational system. Empowering teachers leads to better results for students!
What is the biggest change in your classroom from when you first started teaching?
Advances in technology continue to call for necessary changes in the classroom. Attention spans are shorter than ever, and distractions are at an all-time high. The pace at which new technology is building has created an environment where you always have to be adapting to stay relevant.
What are the most important things that your students have taught you?
The most important thing that my students have taught me is that everything is better when we do it collaboratively. The most successful endeavors and relationships are built on respect and finding mutual objectives. All students have value in many diverse ways. Finding each student’s strengths and how that fits into creating a shared vision have established and reiterated time and time again that everything is better together.
What is your favorite story/event from teaching?
I don’t have a specific event. It is more a recurrence. We have an activity to start each day called roundtable. We get many former graduates stopping in to visit. My favorite is always the former student that is happy, healthy and a contributing member of society speaking to my class about their future!
Who would play you in the Oscar-bait inspirational movie about your class, and what would the movie be called?
Vince Vaughn! The title of the movie would be “My Quest”!
What are your words of advice for teachers (rookies or veterans)?
You have to be AUTHENTIC! You can borrow lesson plans, and you should, but if you don’t adapt them to fit who you are and your teaching style, they will fail.
There will be more tough days than great days. Even though there are times you won’t think this is true … “You Are Enough!”
Every day presents an opportunity to change a life. Each lesson is a chance to connect a young person with their future. If you approach each day with this mindset, you are enough.
Many students face daily challenges that are unfathomable to most. You owe it to them to be a beacon of hope, if only for that day. Your efforts are enough.
I often feel like a failure, at least at some point during each day. Don’t listen to that voice. Be the best version of yourself and trust that will be enough.
Remember to do your job in a way that allows you to find peace, knowing you have done your best to improve the lives around you. Celebrate EVERY success! Learn from your failures because the “L’s” will be what shapes your future successes!