Blue Umbrella Official Feb 2020 issue | Page 11

By Emily S. Mr. Born is a math teacher here at Alpha Omega Academy. Many students speak highly of the way that he explains problems in a way that helps them succeed. I had the honor of interviewing him about non-academic subjects recently. What are your favorite hobbies? I love to run, play basketball, spend time with family and friends, and go hiking. What is your favorite book to read? The Great Gatsby Which countries have you visited, and which would you like to visit? I have visited Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, UK, Mexico, Honduras, Scotland, and Szechia. My top three countries I want to visit are Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. If you couldn?t be a teacher, what would you be? I think I would want to be a school counselor. I think trauma plays a huge roll in students?ability to learn. The more trauma a student undergoes, the harder it is for them to learn. What is the one thing that you prize over everything else? My family for sure. I have the most amazing wife and the best kiddos in the world. They are about to turn 4 and 6, and I tell them all the time, ?I have the best 4 and 6-year-old in the world!? Yes, I am biased. What is your favorite Bible verse? John 5:39-40 ?You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life." What is your favorite thing about teaching? First and foremost, I love teaching mathematics because it allows me to teach life lessons. Secondly, I love simplifying mathematics in such a way that students actually understand what is being asked of them. What accomplishment are you most proud of? To be honest, my wife and kiddos.The saying is true, ?If you want to get to know the husband, get to know the wife first.? I could not be more proud to have my wife represent the both of us. Equally, I could not be more proud of who my sons are and are becoming. I am just blessed to have all three of them in my life on a daily basis. What were your best and worst subjects in high school? My best subject was Math, but my worst was English. And I am married to an English teacher, so she truly does complete me! If you could give one piece of advice to the AOA student body, what would it be? I would love for the AOA student body to know that anyone can do ?good? in any subject whether they think they can or not, and no one is too far off to become ?good? again. The only barrier between a student doing ?good? in a subject and a student doing ?bad? in a subject is simply whether they connect with the material or not. Any student can connect with any material at any time given the right support used as many times as necessary. So please use any/all the resources AOA provides to help you connect with the material as often as you need them, but please come prepared. Read the entire lesson, take effective notes, and come with specific questions. You can do ?good? in any subject with enough support!