As the school year is coming to an end, physical education teacher Mr. Ford’s career at WHB is coming to an end as well.
Mr. Ford started his career at WHB in 1998 as a hall monitor and assistant track coach. He began teaching in 2001 and coached a total of 65 varsity seasons of boys cross country, winter track and spring track.
Before WHB, Mr. Ford had a colorful employment. He worked at McDonald’s for two years during high school, and at 18 he began cooking and bartending at a local pub. A few years later he became a partner at a few clubs and pub establishments in the Hamptons, while doing construction work and painting houses on the side as well.
Mr. Ford said, “While I loved being in the bar/restaurant business, I felt it was time to do something else. At 32 years old, I returned to college part time at Suffolk CC, went to full time and transferred to Adelphi University where I got a BA in American History and an MS in Physical Education. I always loved phys ed and sports in school so it seemed like the right fit for me. I also attended SUNY Stony Brook where I earned a certification in Education Administration in NY State.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Ford has more time to pursue his personal interests. He said, “My wife and I have been rescuing dogs and horses for the last 30 years. We have a ranch in Calverton called the Warrior Ranch Foundation. We rescue horses and put them together with Vets and 1st responders who suffer from PTSD. The relationships help horse and human both heal and give them some peace in their lives. The ranch and the horses will keep me busy. I will also be doing track officiating and some personal track coaching.”
Mr. Ford shares some advice for new and future teachers at WHB. He said, “Things have changed quite a bit in teaching here at WHB since I started in 1998. You need to like what you are doing and find people in your building that are having success and learn from them. As a teacher, you are more of a student than the students are. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to fail. Ask for help and ideas. Teachers are benevolent thieves when it comes to ideas. We take ideas from each other and use them all of the time.”
We wish Mr. Ford the best of luck in his retirement!
