Alumni Spotlight: Henry Schofield, G’12
For the first time in our history, we have invited an alum to join our faculty! Henry Schofield attended TNCS for seven years, graduating in 2012. He returned two years ago as a substitute teacher, and then a part-time teacher last year. We are excited to officially welcome Henry full-time in the 2018-19 school year as a 7th grade World History teacher. He studied history at Christopher Newport University and then became a teacher after taking classes at the University of Richmond.
We recently asked Henry about his journey to teaching and returning to TNCS.
What made you want to become a teacher?
I have always had a passion for academics. I have always wanted the world to make sense. I left undergraduate university with no idea of what I wanted to do. Eventually, I started substitute teaching to make some money while I figured out what I was going to do. It occurred to me one day while substituting at TNCS, that I was where I wanted to be. So in a sense it just happened.
What made you want to come back to teach at TNCS?
Aside from substituting, I have a deep appreciation for the mission at TNCS. As a former student, I know what it feels like to be in a school system that does not fit my needs and I know the emotional toll that can take. I also can remember the feeling of my first day at TNCS and compare it to my last as a student. My trust in TNCS grew with each and every day and even now continues to climb. When I did eventually start substituting at TNCS and getting to know the students, I was amazed and inspired by the passion that I could see we all shared for this community.
What is something you remember from your time as a student that worked for you in the classroom that you are now incorporating as a teacher?
TNCS students who have been here for a while might not remember life before assignment sheets, but they are not something I have seen at any other schools. When I was in college, I would look at the syllabi of all my classes each week and make a list of what I had to do before my class, so in this way I continued to use assignment sheets even after TNCS. Like all teachers at TNCS, I use them for my students. They are an added level of organization that so many of our students benefit from, even if they don’t see it as a big deal.
Is there a topic you are really excited to teach this year?
It might sound strange, but video games sparked my interest in history. I really enjoyed playing games about Ancient Rome, and then in school I had my interest reinforced. Since then I have come to love all types of topics in history. My first love in history has always been Ancient Rome, so I really can’t wait to get back to it in the classroom.