Mr. Ford, The newest member of NQHS

Mr. Ford, The Newest Member of NQHS

There isn't a student or staff member who hasn’t had a positive experience with Mr. Ford. Although he only arrived at NQHS this year, I believe he is a great fit for our community and has been putting 100% of his effort toward making a better community for all of us.

What Teacher or individual had the biggest influence on you growing up?

“It’s hard to single one out, I’ve had many teachers in my journey. My English teacher, my senior year, really challenged me. I was a bit of a class clown and he challenged me to really separate myself from the other people in my class. I had to make the decision of what I was going to stand out for and if I wanted to separate myself or just follow the pack. There were people who influenced me in college too but along my way in life, I might give a word to someone that will plant the seed, but, I might say something else to another person but instead of planting the seed I will be watering an already planted seed. It’s different people who help to plant the seed and to water it so that the plant might grow. ”

Do you have a student or individual you feel you had the same influence on?

He pointed at a globe gifted to him from a student in Needham and said: “this student transferred into the school sophomore year from Kentuky, and anytime you move like that you have to find your own way. Me and her had some dialogue and I could see her talents and suggested some clubs for her to join and all that. After that she really took off and pretty much became the staple of the school. She used her voice and platform in a number of different ways. The number of letters I've received over the years from students telling me how happy they are to have met me even years later. That's something I will cherish forever. I went to the gym, my LA fitness and a couple of students were working out. I appreciate the relationship I have with my students and I try to treat them not just as students but as human beings and address them as such.”

What inspired you to make an Instagram account for your students to follow?

“I went to a workshop a couple of years ago that talked about how much social media influenced teenagers and students. But they suggested that we use Twitter, I just wanted to highlight what was already going on in the school. You could send out emails about it, but not everyone checks their emails. I could make an announcement and that's cool but, I know people are on instagram and if I’m gonna be at these events anyway it’s a great way for me to highlight what we are already doing. Anything I put on my instagram is stuff that our students are already doing. It allows us to see what's going on outside of these 4 walls and allows others to see the great things I get to see at NQHS.”

Why did you choose “another day to get better” to say to your students?

“That's something I believe wholeheartedly, that mindset is: no matter what yesterday was, tomorrow is another day to get better. As a former athlete, I've always had it ingrained in me that you're never as good or as bad as you think you are. There's always things you can improve upon.

My reason is to motivate, encourage and strengthen to reach their maximum potential. My goal is to provide an opportunity to be at your best. That's the legacy I want to leave. I want the people around me to feel inspired to be at their very best.”

“My goal is to provide an opportunity to be at your best. That's the legacy I want to leave. I want the people around me to feel inspired to be at their very best.”

• Mr. Ford