Rookie Teacher Of The Year

This year 9^th grade World History teacher G. Walter Araujo has been nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year. After teaching at Glades Middle School for about five months, Mr. Araujo decided his next feat would be  John A. Ferguson High School.

“John A. Ferguson had a great reputation.  After meeting Principal Villalobos, I left with the thought that I would enjoy the opportunity to work for him,” Mr. Araujo said.

Being an educator wasn’t Mr. Araujo’s first job choice. He started off as an engineer/construction manager then practiced law for about 18 years. Mr. Araujo has graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor in Science and he has also graduated from University of Miami School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. However, once he had kids and started coaching youth sports he realized teaching was his true passion.

At his last school, Mr. Araujo taught U.S. History to 8^th graders but felt he could do more as a 9th-grade high school teacher. Numerous people become educators to help kids grow into the people that will later lead the world, and Mr. Araujo is one of those people.

“I look forward to the opportunity that each day gives me to help build better people, better students, and better athletes. If I didn’t have any bills to pay, I’d do this job for free,” Mr. Araujo said.

All educators have their own style of teaching and sure enough so does Mr. Araujo. He wants to continue to find ways to make World History more interesting and relevant to his students. His goal this year is to develop into a better, more effective teacher and coach by continuing to invest in the additional coursework that he has decided to take as a non-education major.

When various people come to John A. Ferguson for the first time they can become overwhelmed or even stressed by the size. Regardless, Mr. Araujo had a completely different reaction, he thinks the size is perfect and the diversity in the school can help us become stronger in reaching our goals. When asked Mr. Araujo said his favorite thing about the school was interacting with his student and coworkers every day.

“I truly believe that my life experience has led me here for a purpose,” Mr. Araujo said.
Mr. Araujo has just started at John A. Ferguson High School but will most likely be staying here for a long time. This school has plenty to offer and a great new teacher has just been added to that long list of things.