Many students can only imagine their teachers as they see them in the classroom, but outside of school teachers have diverse lives filled with surprising hobbies, talents, experiences, and side jobs. Despite what some students may think, teachers’ interests go beyond the subjects they teach and range from playing sports and hiking to going to concerts, traveling, and growing bonsai trees. 

   Some teachers’ love of being outdoors has influenced the way they spend their time beyond their work life. 

   “I used to grow Christmas trees,” science teacher Jennifer Field said. “I also love traveling and camping, so I can cook over a campfire, set up a tent, that kind of stuff.” 

   For others, spending a night out with friends or family helps them unwind after their busy weeks at school. 

   “I really enjoy live music, so I am often going to concerts or restaurants with live music,” math teacher Erin Lordan said. 

   Sometimes teachers devote some of their non-teaching time to other opportunities to share their knowledge while also earning extra money.

   “I have been working with the International Ocean Discovery Program doing scientific outreach,” said Field. “I did get paid for that and I still create curriculum for them. I do it sporadically if I can get funding.”

   Just like their students, many teachers work to balance their school-related work with athletics and fun activities. 

   “I play hockey twice a week, I coach hockey, I play poker and a lot of other board games,” math teacher Bailey Fidler said. “I also make maple syrup, I do woodworking, and I have my bonsai tree collection.” 

   Beyond their personal lives, a number of WHS teachers dedicate extra time to coaching, adding another layer to their school-related responsibilities.   

   “I have coached swimming in some capacity since I was 15 years old, organizing summer league swim teams,” said History teacher Caroline Monz. “I have been a high school swim coach for a total of 12 seasons.”

   This dedication to their students beyond the classroom is often known and appreciated by students.

   “I know some of my teachers are also coaches, which takes up a lot of their time, so it’s really impressive,” senior Nola Dickie said. 

   For coaches and others, it can be challenging to make the time for their preferred non-work activities given the demands put on them as educators. 

  “My favorite thing to do is travel when I can, but that’s a lot harder now that I’m a teacher,” said French and Spanish teacher Blair Clarkson.

   Balancing personal interests with a teacher’s workload can be challenging, so for many educators it is important to keep the two aspects of their lives separate. 

   “I think that it can be hard to balance my hobbies with being a teacher,” Lordan said. “I try really hard not to do work at home, so even if I have some extra work to do, I’ll either come in early or stay late so I can keep that boundary.” 

   Others have found maintaining the balance easier by keeping time management in mind.

   “School work takes 40-50 hours a week, so yes I do have free time,” science teacher Boris Korsunsky said. “I play badminton, I travel, and I read.” 

   Sometimes the activities teachers are involved in provide moments of excitement that their students might be surprised to learn about.  

   “I do a lot of mountain hiking and there have been some scary moments on a ledge,” Korsunsky said. 

   In fact, many students don’t often consider what their teachers do beyond school. 

   “It’s kind of weird to think that they have a whole life outside of school that we don’t know much about,” said freshman Josie Dresden. 

   While many students assume their teachers’ lives outside of school are separate from their own, some have had unexpected encounters that have proven jarring.

   “One time I saw a teacher in his pajama pants at the grocery store and I ran,” senior Alex Darling said. 

   While running into teachers can be nerve racking, some students appreciate the surprise interactions. 

   “I have run into teachers a couple times, just at supermarkets and places like that,” junior Curtis Keene said. “It’s never too awkward; I just say ‘hi’ and it’s a fun little interaction.”

   Getting glimpses of teachers’ personal interests can offer a new perspective on their lives. 

   “It’s a good reminder that they have lives outside of school too,” Dickie said.