Betesh, a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, Connecticut, delivered a keynote address about his nearly 20 years in education and the experiences that have shaped his teaching career. He has championed student-centered learning, project-based instruction and initiatives that encourage students to take an active role in their school communities.

Following the keynote, students divided into two groups to explore different aspects of campus life and the teaching profession. One group toured Quinnipiac’s campuses while the other participated in teacher-led activities and a question-and-answer panel. The groups then switched activities so everyone could participate in both experiences.

Judy Puglisi, a part-time faculty member, said the program connected high school students in the School of Education’s Teacher Preparation Pathway program with an accomplished educator while introducing them to opportunities available at Quinnipiac.

Puglisi also wanted students to understand that teaching can lead to careers beyond the classroom, including counseling and school administration.

“Careers in teaching don't end with the classroom,” Puglisi said, noting that it can be “quite an evolving and exciting career.”

She hopes the experience will inspire students “to be brave and take risks” and consider coming to Quinnipiac to become teachers.

Danielle La Pan, a teacher and instructional coach at Metropolitan Business Academy who teaches a Quinnipiac college-level course on multiculturalism and diversity, said the visit gave her students valuable exposure to the university and the teaching profession.

“Mostly just exposure for my students, so that way they get some experience actually being on campus because it is a Quinnipiac class, but it’s taught at our school,” La Pan said.

She added that hearing from experienced educators during the panel would help students better understand what it means to be a teacher.

For some students, the visit reinforced an interest in pursuing education as a career. Samiyah Stewart, an 11th-grade student at Metropolitan Business Academy, said she is interested in educational psychology after discovering a passion for working with children through her school's education pathway program. Her experience as an instructor at the Peabody Museum further confirmed her interest.

“I realized that I love teaching kids very quickly,” Stewart said.

Stewart said Betesh’s presentation strengthened her interest in the profession.

“When I saw the presentation today, it really inspired me to be in the classroom,” she said.

But Betesh’s message went beyond lesson plans and classroom techniques. To explain what makes teaching meaningful, he brought a blue bag filled with cards, notes, drawings, photographs and messages he had received from students, parents and colleagues throughout his career.

Betesh told students he had never gone through the collection before preparing for the visit. As he sorted through the mementos, he laughed at some memories and became emotional over others. He initially hoped to find one particular story that explained why he loved teaching. Instead, he realized the entire collection represented two decades in the classroom, thousands of students and countless connections.

Betesh said the most rewarding parts of teaching are creating meaningful experiences for students, making a difference in their lives and building relationships. He encouraged the aspiring teachers to remember the educators who had influenced them and consider the opportunity to have that same impact on others.

“You want to become a teacher because you want to change the lives of others,” Betesh said. “Right now, you can all think of a teacher who's special, who's had some impact on your life. And if you go into this profession, that can be you.”

Despite the recognition that came with being named Teacher of the Year, Betesh said his passion for teaching comes down to something simple.

“I don't think anything that I do is special,” he said. “I'm not a master of history in the classroom. I just really enjoy teaching.”

In Focus