Teacher Feature: Mr. M
Ella Hudson, staff writer
- Which moment in your life would you most like to do over?
- I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, many things that would have likely made my various experiences much easier if I would have been less careless in my youth. Out of all of those mistakes, which I hate to say are countless, I wouldn’t change a single one. Every mistake I’ve made has represented an opportunity to learn and to grow, and I think those experiences, albeit stressful, are life’s greatest teacher. I hate to fail, but I love failure because through failure we become the people we are meant to be.
- Which memory would you most like to erase, and which one would you like to remember forever?
- If anyone has spent much time in my classroom, they surely know that I embarrass myself more than the average person probably should. I’m pretty shameless though, so I’m not sure any memory is worthy of a complete erasing. From having to wear a turkey costume during a full day of school, to dancing with (and being completely shown up by) Kristina Powlen in front of the entire student body, to tripping and ripping my pants in the middle of a lecture, all of those embarrassments now are just funny memories I got to share with my students. So I think I’ll keep them, if you don’t mind. Likewise, I hope I get to remember every funny, quirky, and weird moment I’ve had the privilege of sharing with my students over the years. Those memories will stay with me forever, far after my career ends.
- If you could relive one day of your life, which one would it be?
- I am blessed with many things. A dream job, great friends, and most importantly, a family that I love. Any day that I got to spend with my wife and children, particularly my son, would be a good day to relive. Living life with those that love you makes this answer easy. With your family, every day is a good day. I also extend that sentiment to my Oracle family.
- What would your younger self think of who you are today?
- Young Mr. M. was very different from current Mr. M, mainly because he had a full head of hair. Young Me projected many different versions of himself — the jock, the metalhead, the outdoorsman, the funny guy, the writer — but he never really felt comfortable with who he was because of that. Young Me masked insecurity with false confidence. Even though Young Me would probably think Current Me was a bit of a dork, I think he would also respect the fact that I have found where I belong. He’d never admit it, but he’d be happy for me.
- What part of your identity do you believe will never change?
- Well, my hair’s never growing back, so that will never change. Seriously, though, what will never change for me will be my job. I can’t see myself doing anything else other than working with young people as a teacher and coach. I hope I do this until my last breath. Where else would you rather be?!
- Bonus: If you were in the witness protection program, what would be your new name and where would you go?
- My name would be Jacoby Money. He is a burgeoning SoundCloud rapper that gains appreciable fame for his many diss tracks about the artist formerly known as MerchMoney. Little do his adoring fans know that both artists were me all along! MUAHAHAHA!
