Welcome back to Teacher of the Week! Each week we’ll be highlighting a teacher or staff member here at KHS. This week, our featured teacher is Mr. Leach!

What are your favorite summer break activities?

It used to be all about golf for me—I could play 36 holes in a single day. Nowadays, a perfect summer day means starting at the coffee shop in the morning, catching up on graduate work and reading. Then, heading home to take my dog to the beach, and wrapping up the day with a late-night dinner either with friends in Ogunquit or cooking at home.

What is your dream vacation?

Portofino, Italy. It’s cute, desirable, and I just love it.

What is your teacher bliss?

My greatest joy as a teacher comes from discovering ways to bring happiness into the lives of each of my students. I find immense satisfaction in spending time in the hallway between classes, providing me with the opportunity to connect with students I may not encounter regularly. Whether it’s recalling someone’s name, inquiring about their day, or injecting a bit of quirkiness or humor into the interaction, my ultimate goal is to elicit smiles from my students. 

What is the hardest thing about teaching?

Wow, this is a good one. It seems to revolve around the notions of balance and setting boundaries. In my experience, I dedicated numerous years to the school environment, whether it involved coaching, volunteering, or simply working. Initially, when you attain your dream, the excitement and eagerness to dive in can overshadow the need for self-care. It’s easy to get so engrossed in your pursuits that your personal well-being takes a hit. It’s crucial to remember to nurture relationships, even in the face of disagreements. Teaching encompasses a myriad of styles and perspectives, and there’s no singular “right” way to approach it. 

No names—describe your worst teaching experience.

I don’t really have a “worst teaching experience”, but having worked in public schools for almost 10 years (starting as an ed tech), I’ve learned that life, just like my job, is a constant learning experience. At the beginning, it was tough to handle feedback without feeling like I wasn’t doing well. But over time, I’ve come to understand that every experience teaches us something, helps us grow, and makes us stronger.

What would your students be surprised to find out about you?

Even though Shawn Mendes is my favorite musical artist, I don’t listen to him as often as people would suspect. 

What is your advice for students?

Embrace your true self, cherish who you are, and remember, life rushes by—discover something that brings you joy.