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BY ISABELLA HILL'25 & SHREE JAYAKRISHNA '25

We’re back with another teacher interview this issue! One of AB’s most beloved history teachers, Mr.Lewis, kindly sat down with us to help us learn more about him. Who is he beyond the spectrum of just teaching? Read to find out!

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher? 
A: When I was in college, the two things I liked doing were studying history and working with students. In the summer, I was a camp counselor, and I really loved working with kids there and wanted to keep doing that. My mom and I were brainstorming and figured out that if I could talk about history and work with students, I could combine the things I love. That’s how I decided to become a teacher, and I've been doing it ever since. 
Q: How did you end up teaching in this district?
A: After I decided to become a teacher, I needed to get some experience because that’s the only way to figure out if you really want to pursue something as a career. I did my masters and started teaching, and that confirmed that I wanted to do this. After that, I applied for jobs. I got an offer here, I said yes, and I've been here ever since. I feel lucky because I had no previous connection to the town. Sure, I knew people from here, but it wasn't like I just applied; I made it home over a long period of time. 
Q: How would you describe your teaching style? 
A: I'd like to think I put learning first over doing work for work's sake. I hope my students would agree with that. I also would like to think that I do things in a meaningful way: having fun when things can be fun, hard when they need to be, but never difficult just for the sake of making things difficult. I feel like everyone is really busy and deserves to have different experiences throughout the year in the classroom. You have to come to class each day, especially if it's not an elective. So I think it’s important to have some moments of joy, laughter, seriousness, and experience times that are academically challenging to make the year rewarding and enjoyable.
Q: Speaking of the stress and pressure for students in terms of balancing classes and extracurricular activities, how would you advise students to manage their time or deal with the stress? 
A: I think balancing stress is all about expectation setting. As a teenager, you’re beginning to learn what is reasonable for you to accomplish within a year. A lot of teenagers want to accomplish four years of learning in one year. We want to challenge ourselves, but we also don't want to burn out. It’s very important to find that right level, and it's really hard. My advice is to surround yourself with people who are balanced and healthy while also getting to know yourself and your limitations. It’s important to take a step back and recognize if you’re pushing yourself too much. It doesn’t come down to how much you’re doing; it really is about how you do things and how you set expectations for yourself while you do it. 
Q: How do you balance your work in terms of your personal and work life? 
A: I try to follow what I said earlier in terms of expectation setting. As a teacher, you could take on everything here. I try to dedicate myself to the activities and extracurriculars that mean the most to me while still making time for my family and staying engaged with the building and people around me. I feel like knowing that I can't do it all but still getting involved in things I value helps me to feel okay with that. 
Q: How did you start teaching Understanding Race as a course and introduce it into the AB curriculum?
A: Introducing the course was a very interesting process. We had a student committee that met throughout the year, and as we built the curriculum, they helped us change it and move units around. I'd never had that experience of building a course and having students involved in the process throughout a whole year. It’s a very unique course, and the students on the committee really wanted community building in the beginning. They also emphasized an open structure where anyone—sophomore, junior, or senior—could take it. 
Q: Now for some fun questions. Favorite food?
A: I like Santa Fe, Nans, and Godly Smoothies. 

Q: What are your favorite TV shows?
A: I watch Lego Masters with my son. It's very good, and the interactive Legos are very cool. I also watch Parks and Recreation and some bake-off shows.

Q: What are your hobbies? 
A: My main hobby is language learning. I spend a lot of time on Duolingo, and I’m listening to the fourth Harry Potter book in Portuguese. I also listen to a lot of different music, and that sometimes aligns with my language learning. 

Q: What music do you listen to?
A: Right now, I am listening to a lot of 90s punk rock and Brazilian pop. In high school, I mostly listened to jazz, so I still listen sometimes. My music taste is very eclectic.
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As we can all see, Mr. Lewis brings a new meaning to what it means to be a teacher at AB. From his perspective on learning and life to his personal interests, there is so much that every student can learn from him. We hope this article gave you some new life lessons and we will see you back next issue, as we delve deeper into the teaching staff at AB!