I have interviewed Mr. Slack, one of our tech teachers here at NSMS. For many students and myself, Mr. Slack brings an infectious creative and fun energy to the school. When other classes have you sitting in your desk all day, Mr. Slack’s tech class is filled with hands-on learning that breaks the boundaries of what you previously thought of school.
Q: How long have you been working at NSMS?
A: I have been with NSMS as a tech teacher for 17 years.
Q: What jobs did you have before working here, if any?
A: Before teaching at our middle school, I worked as maintenance for an assisted living facility, at a hardware store after school and on weekends, and in high school different odd jobs, including lawn care, construction, and demolition. I also worked for a village maintenance crew and water taxis on Fire Island.
Q: How did you decide to become a technology teacher?
A: My father is a carpenter, and my mother always wanted him to be a tech teacher, so she instead led me in that path.
Q: When you were a student, what was your favorite subject?
A: As a student I loved English class; reading and writing.
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I always wanted to be a National Park Ranger.
Q: What made you teach here at NSMS over anywhere else?
A: I had two different offers from schools to teach, and NSMS felt like a better fit.
Q: What is your favorite part about working at NSMS?
A: My favorite part of teaching here is creating meaningful memories with students, especially when they end up choosing a career path sparked by an experience in my class.
Q: If you didn’t work here, is there another profession you would like to go in?
A: I would probably want to go into the engineering and robotics fields.
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of school?
A: Outstide of teaching, I love mountain biking, hiking, camping, fishing, and playing with my son.
Q: Anything else that you would like to say?
A: I have two pets, a pet frog named Trevor and a dog named Zuzu.
Thank you, Mr. Slack, for all you do for our school.
