Mike Huggins Professional Biography
"All this time I was learning" Mike Huggins |
What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher?
When I was little, my Dad taught math and computers, and my Mom was an elementary teacher. My aunts and uncles taught, I had many great relatives that were administrators and teachers. Ididn’t know then it would get me too. My dad would tell me stories about why he became a teacher., “Teaching is in our blood”he would tell me as a child. My mom and I would come and work in her Early Childhoodclassroom at night till midnight on many occasions. I knew her dedication to teaching was top notch. They both loved what they did. In school I was an average student, a bit of a rebel kid really. The lessons I have learned in my life pointed me many directions. I was in Boy Scouts for 10 years and earned Eagle Scout weeks before my 18th birthday. In 1996 I was selected as the Oklahoma representative in Washington DC as part of the Moose Youth Congress Award. I served as a Combat Life Saver Infantryman in the Oklahoma Army National Guard 45th Infantry at the armory in Vinita, Oklahoma. Stephanie was my girl even back in high school, sophomore year at Grove. Over half her life we have been companions giving each other strength. All this time I was learning. When I started substitute teaching, like many teachers do in the beginning, it was about a chance to show the young people things they didn’t know and make a difference if you tried. Many subs love teaching, they may even become full time teachers. That was me. I was leaving a two year position as the 13th Judicial District Drug Court Administrator to become a full time technology teacher. I was excited about this new opportunity to teach.
On October 24th, 2003, I left a 7 year career as a E911 Dispatcher at Grove Police Department. My eight years of OKARNG servicewas a huge part of my college years life as it paid for most of my education expenses while I still dispatched 40 hours a week while going to college full time commuting 2-3 times per week. All this time I was learning. It was December 2003 and I had been subbing full time for several months. Mr. Mike Teel, my hiring principal, trusted me for the position and offered me a teaching contract. I do like to teacj about how to use technology. Using a computer is something that comes natural to me. I feel compelled to “find a way” to solve any computer challenge that faces me. I can’t explain why being around technology and showing others how to make use of it is enjoyable to me; it just is. I've learned that learning is a lifelong process. I appreciate the chance to learn, grow, and continue to better my own performance. I have been given the opportunity to pass on my skills to young learners in my classroom. I have grown to love teaching.. So many people have shaped my life. Each in their own way. I thank you for inspiring me and giving me motivation. |
Describe what you consider to be your greatest contributions and accomplishments in education.
This year I have been able to share my knowledge with some of the brightest students that I can recall. Even some students who would rather be anywhere else than high school have excelled in my Web Design, Graphic Design, and Digital Yearbook classes. I encourage creativity by letting my students have controlled access to a set of physical and digital resources that will give them an edge in college and the workforce. My students can shoot and edit a full video presentation right on an iTouch or iPad and have it online before the end of the day. They can build a dot com website for you in a matter of days. They can take a better photo with an DSLR camera and enhance the image in Photoshop above amateur level. I take pride in the fact that I have helped my students gain more tools to be able to be successful after they leave Grove High School. This summer was my fifth teaching young people how to drive. Driving is something I have always enjoyed. I would like to see my school eventually reinstate the Drivers Ed program but I understand budget considerations must be made wisely. Fortunately I was in a position to be able to continue to fill the need for teaching teens how to drive in my private time. in August 2011, I started KabesDad.com Driving School - A Certified Oklahoma Commercial Driving School. This July I will start my 5th successful class. Seven years driving a bus at Grove may have driven me a bit crazy; but I enjoy it. Being around Pre-K through 12 grade kids every day does help give me some perspective to our task of growing these babies into fine adults. I am going to miss driving a bus but my time has recently grow important with other needs. Teaching isn’t just about a job, it is about improving the quality of people’s lives in the long run. We are a TEAM. We have a lot of awesome teachers at GPS! All the buildings are blessed with such great staff. At my school we say Together Everyone Achieves More - TEAM. I know technology is important but it isn’t everything. Personal relationships that we build with our students form a bond that may last a lifetime. Mr. Shrum was my favorite teacher in school. He taught me some “lessons in life” plus much more. All my teachers from Pre-K to my Graduate Degree have helped shape my life. Some of you were my teachers. Thank you. Ask yourself: “What teacher mattered most in your life? Teachers. Thank you for making a difference in so many lives. Mike Huggins |