We’ve all been asked the question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” more times than we can count. For some, careers and goals even continue to evolve after one has already been established. But of course, there’s always your classic teacher, who knew starting in kindergarten that school was the place they were destined to be.

Social Studies teacher Paige Stewart was born into a family with two choices: teacher or farmer. As evidenced by her nine years of teaching history and government classes, it’s clear that she knows she’s in the career that she is best suited for.

“Naturally, I don’t have a green thumb,” Stewart said. “But both of my parents were P.E. teachers, most of my aunts and uncles and cousins are all teachers, so I was teaching my stuffed animals from a very young age. I just didn’t know what kind of teacher I wanted to be.”

After completing two Bachelor’s degrees from SEMO in Social Studies Education and Global Languages and Culture, Stewart got her Master’s in Educational Technology from Lindenwood University, originally thinking she’d want to move away from the classroom eventually.

“I used to think that I would be interested in being responsible for writing curriculum and helping teachers design their lessons,” Stewart said. “But I think more realistically, I will probably still be teaching. As I have another kid and life changes, it’s nice to have consistency in some places.”

Although there are always going to be difficulties, Stewart knows how to find the light within her classroom. As you may know from her bulletin board, students are the best part of her job.

“My favorite part of teaching is being able to have students multiple times, the ways that people are the same and how they’ve changed,” Stewart said. “So, more like the relationship part of teaching over some of the more stressful parts.”

Stewart has never stopped being the energetic, bubbly teacher that she is well-known for today, even though her mindset as a teacher has grown and adapted as the years have gone on.

“Teaching moves from being very self-centered as a first-year teacher to thinking about the whole room and everybody in it,” Stewart said. “And you know what you’re doing a little bit more. Eventually, you get the hang of it, and begin learning your personality as a teacher.”

Following a very different path is FACS and business teacher Michelle Bles, who decided to take a sharp turn by moving to teaching after working as a manager in a dental office. Bles received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration before beginning her first career. When she decided to try something new, starting as a substitute for Parkway was a great introduction to something she actually saw herself doing. After falling in love with her job as a long-term middle school FACS sub, she began working towards getting her certification in K-12 FACS and Business.

“I never saw myself where I am today,” Bles said. “I’ve always said I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I really thought I would just go back to some Monday through Friday, nine-to-five professional office job, because that was my background.”

Working in business previously, however, gives Bles an advantage in the subjects that she teaches, especially her Personal and Career Development class. Being a good mentor for her students is very important to Bles, and why she decided to pursue a subject area that she was familiar with.

“That’s why I was hesitant to go into a biology class,” Bles said. “I never wanted to be in a class where I was a disservice to the kids where I wasn’t able to help them and prepare them.”

Being a first-year teacher, Bles is no stranger to the difficulties of entering the field of education, but felt that her experience is one that gave her a multitude of opportunities and ways to grow. Even with a high demand in terms of her workload, she knows that working hard is the way to be the best she can be.

“This is definitely more mentally draining because I’m constantly worried as a new teacher, ‘am I doing this right?’ ‘Am I meeting the needs of the kids?’” Bles said. “But it’s just having a lack of confidence as a new teacher, and I’m sure that’ll get better over time.”

Although joining the world of teaching can be an unnerving experience, Bles has felt welcomed by the Parkway community at both Central and South High, and is looking forward to continuing to grow and establish herself as an educator.

“There are definitely challenges as there are with any job, but I’ve been supported by my admin, and by my team in each department,” Bles said. “I’m in a great place at a great school.”

Not many people can say that they’ve had the opportunity for a second career, but even fewer can probably say that they’ve done so entirely under one roof. Athletic Director and former art teacher Brian Guilfoyle is in his 24th year as an educator, 23 of which were spent as an art teacher, and 14 at Central. Guilfoyle truly feels that being in education is the place he’s meant to be, starting from a young age, which is what led him to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Art Education from Webster University.

“My mother was a science teacher for 30 years,” Guilfoyle said. “She was amazing, and how she was able to impact students’ lives is something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There isn’t a better job in the world.”

Although art teacher and Athletic Director may seem like vastly different career options, they both managed to be within the realm of Guilfoyle’s passions early on, especially due to many impactful people in his life.

“I was influenced by some of the best coaches in the area,” Guilfoyle said. “After being in the classroom for 23 years, I felt it was the right time for a change. Being an athletic administrator gives me the opportunity to impact more of the student body.”

However, the job change wasn’t a no-brainer— there are a few things from the art room that Guilfoyle will miss, despite the excitement of his new office.

“I do miss teaching art with my friends, Mr. Jafari and Mrs. Deffenbaugh,” Guilfoyle said. “The students I had in class were very talented, and I miss having that creative and challenging dialogue with those students.”

While establishing himself in this new career, Guilfoyle is also working towards completing his doctorate degree in May. Although the adjustment and hard work in school and at home is challenging, the new opportunity has been rewarding.

“I wouldn’t be able to do this job without my wife’s support with our two kids. Finding a balance between home, work, and health is essential,” Guilfoyle said. “Time goes by quickly, and I plan on enjoying this job for as long as possible.”