Emerson High School proudly welcomes Aaron Wessner, a new mathematics teacher and JV soccer coach who brings forth his one-on-one teaching methods along with his need to connect with his students.
Originally, Wessner decided to pursue his career as a coach and a guidance counselor with a specialization in counseling psychology.
“I learned that most guidance counselors aren’t able to be coaches.” Wessner says. “I didn’t think I was going to go the route into teaching until after I got out of college.”
Wessner spent a year working for Mid-Del Youth and Family where he would rehab kids from juvenile detention centers and re-introduce them to the community.
“That led to me teaching a class on General Educational Development and kids trying to get their GED instead of going back to school, and then that led to me thinking, I think I want to do this teaching thing full time.”
This school year, Wessner is taking on a unique teaching method. He plans to make what he teaches relevant to his student’s future.
“If I can tie it back into what they’re going to do later on in life, there’s a higher chance that they’re going to remember how to do it.” Wessner says. “My biggest thing is making sure that they will remember the material. I want to see my students be proud of themselves and succeed. you don’t have to be a good student to learn or the smartest student. but working hard shows you have the work ethic to want to try.”
A big part of Wessner’s teaching goal at EHS is to have a connection with his students and get to know and understand them on personal levels.
“The more you learn about someone, the more you become invested in them. The most important part of this job, is connecting with your students first.” Wessner says. “I want to make a difference in their lives, not only academically, but emotionally as well.”