Matt Van Blaricom
Teacher
Iron County Adult Education
“I learned to look for what matters to me most. Once I have decided upon a goal, I pursue it with a vigor and drive that is unrelenting.”
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Decided at 8 years old to not commit suicide. Swore to myself my children would not endure abuse.
Got a GED at 16 after being expelled from school followed by dropping out.
Earned my culinary arts credentials.
Earned my security credentials.
Earned my paralegal studies diploma.
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and a mathematics emphasis.
Secured my job as a teacher.
Education
GED
Great Basin High School
Great Basin High School
Career
Teacher
I help students to gain knowledge and learn a growth mindset.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Numbers
Education
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
No two days are exactly alike. At any moment a student can ask me to teach anything contained within the high school or GED curriculum. I can be called into an emergency meeting to discuss an issue I was completely unaware of 5 minutes before. I prepare lessons students will find engaging. I get to teach amazing lessons. I help people learn they truly can succeed.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
You need to volunteer. There is nothing more terrible than a teacher who hates the kids they serve. Do not come into the profession without speaking to teachers, administrators and others. Teaching is not just teaching, it is organization, planning, deadlines and administration. Be aware teachers work many more hours and spend more of their own money on classrooms than most people realize.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Teachers:
"You will never finish high school. You'll end up in jail."
Challenges I Overcame
Learning Issues
Financial
Gangs / Violence
