Kyion White, a member of the Golden Wave Media staff, met with Tupelo High School’s 2019-2020 CTE Teacher of the Year, Jamie McIntosh, who teaches Welding at the Tupelo Career Technical Center to learn more about his life and teaching career.

KW: How long have you been teaching?

JM: At this current moment, it is nine years.

KW: What subjects have you taught?

JM: I’ve only taught welding throughout my tenure here.

KW: Was being a teacher your dream job?

JM: As far a dream job? No. I just think it was part of a plan B. My original plan was to work in business and basically work my way to the top of some type of industry or corporation.

KW: What personality traits do you need as a teacher?

JM: I think you have to be a willing leader. What I mean by that is that you are the one giving the command, but also that you’re willing to work with those who aren’t following you until they can get to where they need to get to, in order to really be able to receive your leadership.

KW: What kind of qualities do students look for in you as a teacher?

JM: I think in order for them to want to receive what you have you, they want to know that you’re going to be the example that you talked about. And for the most part, that’s what I try to do. And I tried to lead them in a path that I might, my personal self, go or where I would also try to lead my children.

KW: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

JM: So hopefully, within 10 years I have some other ideas and businesses at least started by then. And hopefully some other means of being able to educate even outside of the school system in order to add to people’s lives through my personal experiences and through resources that I’ve gathered over my career.

KW: What do you miss the most about high school?

JM: Being able to go to something that somebody else has completely provided for you, and all you gotta do is receive. I miss that because when you become an adult, all of that preparation is on you and you are providing for someone else.

KW: Do you have any weird superstitions?

JM: I’m more spiritual than I am superstitious. So I am the one that says that you live by faith and not by sight.

KW: How has high school changed most since you were there?

JM: I guess on a good note students have more access to a lot of things that I think can make school easier, and also it is more fun.

KW: How do you prepare for your day? What is your morning routine?

JM: I’m usually the first one to hit the floor at home. So I’m usually up getting myself prepared. And then I start to command and get everybody else to make a move. So depending on how much time I have, I do like to try to get breakfast, so I can be ready to go. And you know, that’s another thing. You know, some of the students, a lot of students that I know come to school, and they haven’t eaten anything, and they don’t like what’s being served [in the cafeteria]. So you have a lot of students that are hungry. But I try to make sure that stomachs are not growling in harmony in class. At least mine is not.