Teachers are the key to making any school run smoothly and impact young students’ lives. But here at STA, some teachers go beyond just teaching. Mr. Ewart is one of the assortment of remarkable teachers. His hard work and dedication to his vocation are greatly appreciated by those who cross his path. He demonstrates deep commitment to his students and a genuine love for the subject of English. Keep reading below to get a glimpse into the teaching life of STA’s Mr. Ewart! 

Introduce yourself 

 “My name is Mr. Ewart, and, even though I have been teaching for 23 years, I am in my second year as an English teacher here at STA.  I grew up in the Chicagoland area and earned my BA from DePaul University.  I have lived in many places, including California, South Korea, and Paris, but I have been living in Florida since 2010.  I think I have found a home.”

Why did you become an educator?

“Well, I guess teaching runs in my family.  My grandmother, my aunt, and my father were all teachers.  When I first entered college, the idea of teaching was always appealing to me. However, I was initially dissuaded because I thought I wanted a career that was more prestigious.  After graduating with a BA in Psychology, having a desire to travel, I found myself taking a teaching position in Korea.  During that time, I realized that I had a talent for teaching, and I have been teaching almost ever since.”

  How has your career at STA been compared to other schools?

“I love teaching at STA.  I have taught at colleges and a few high schools, but I appreciate the fact that I do not have to hide my faith.  My faith is very important to me, and I know it has been the guiding principle in my life.  It is the reason that I have pursued a teaching career; willing to make certain sacrifices.  My faith also inspires me to do my best even when I feel exhausted because I never sense that what I am doing is for nothing or a paycheck, and I can see that the rest of the faculty and staff feel the same as I do.  It’s inspiring!  Also, I love beginning each class with a prayer.”

What is your greatest challenge in student teaching?

“I never did any kind of student teaching.  While I did have some experience teaching ESL, I was just thrown into my first class at the college level.  The most difficult part was overcoming my fears and insecurities.  I sometimes believed that I didn’t have anything worth teaching to my students and that they would see through my facade, believing I was a fraud.  The only way I could overcome these doubts was to trust God and do my best.  When I do that, life seems to fall into place.  Even after 23 years of teaching, I still second guess and doubt myself at times.  Teaching a class is one of those things that could always be better. “I cannot say that I have ever had a perfect year, but I have had a lot of great ones.”