When it comes to preparing the next generation, 麻豆直播 is committed to providing a strong academic environment; but it equally values the role it has in fostering community and shaping young lives.
Ian Wirth, who attended TFS from kindergarten until graduation, and St. Francis of Assisi Preschool prior to his time at TFS, says that the parish and school played a major role in his upbringing. 鈥淭FS is not only a great environment for learning with supportive and receptive teachers 鈥� it鈥檚 also the place where children can find lifelong friends and learning experiences,鈥� he says.
Looking back on his time as a student, Wirth remembers how rich the community is at TFS.
鈥淢y graduating class had a ton of school spirit and I often think back to how supportive we were of each other,鈥� Wirth says. 鈥淚 still remember how much fun it was staying after school for our home basketball games 鈥� we had a good team and a great, enthusiastic student section. The games were usually packed. It really highlighted the value of the community that surrounds the school.鈥�
After graduating from TFS in 2012, Wirth moved on to attend Cardinal Gibbons High School and then the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. In May, he graduated cum laude with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history and a second major in film and media studies.
And he鈥檚 still not done learning.
鈥淚鈥檓 currently working toward my master鈥檚 degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies,鈥� Wirth says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a one-year intensive program, so I鈥檒l graduate in May 2021 and I hope to begin teaching middle or high school students next year.鈥�
As part of the program, Wirth has the opportunity to develop teaching tools through internships at local schools 鈥� but he鈥檚 gained authentic teaching experience by staying connected to TFS as a substitute teacher as well.
鈥淚 had so many great experiences with teachers as a student and now as a substitute, too. The faculty simply sets TFS apart from other elementary-middle schools,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd while the staff has changed since I graduated, I love getting to see many familiar faces when I come back.鈥�
Last year, Wirth had the opportunity to come alongside Ms. Kababik 鈥� his fifth grade home-room teacher 鈥� to work with her class for a week.
鈥淚 loved being in Ms. Kababik鈥檚 class when I was a student,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut coming back, I came to appreciate her attitude toward teaching even more 鈥� because teaching isn鈥檛 easy! Watching her work, I learned so much about how to keep students engaged, how to manage behavior and distractions and how to make learning interesting and relevant.鈥�
As he prepares to enter the world of education and take his turn pouring into the next generation, Wirth recognizes how much he will draw from his experience at TFS.
鈥淕rowing up in an environment where I was frequently reminded of how Jesus and St. Francis would respond to others taught me a lot about compassion and empathy. In various situations, I鈥檝e learned to consider what people may be going through or struggling with. And I鈥檒l always carry that with me.鈥�
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