Andy Smallman
School Director
Puget Sound Community School
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
High school didn't prepare me to know who I was or what I wanted to do.
But I had the sense to not go to college right away. I spent time better figuring out who I was.
I had extra time on my hands and volunteered to be a Big Brother. I was 21 at the time.
That experience pointed my way as it helped me understand that my path was working with children.
I took the steps needed to become a teacher. And said yes to my opportunities along the way.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Sammamish High School
Sammamish High School
Career
School Director
I direct a school that helps young people discover who they are.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Philosophy & Religion
Being Creative
Day to Day
Each day I get to interact with young people while being my true self, but I had to create a school in order to get to do it. My school day begins sitting in a circle of 50+ people and waiting for a student to get things rolling. Once this "check-in" meeting is completed, I will alternate from facilitating classes on topics that I love to students who have voluntarily chosen to be there, to reaching out to people in the greater community to support the school.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
First, identify something in the future that you want to do or be. Let's call this a "goal." What your goal is isn't important. That you are excited about it NOW is vital. Then, each day, take one step in the direction of your goal. Having done that, re-evaluate the goal and, if needed, revise it based on what you learned. Repeat. Accept opportunities when they appear.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You have a baby and a mortgage. You shouldn't give up your paying job to start a school that has no business succeeding."
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
