English teacher Benjamin Aikens found his passion for teaching while tutoring students in the Hill District during a work-study program at Duquesne University.

“There was a student named Delaney, and I watched him go from failing all his classes to earning C’s and B’s,” Aikens said. “It was at this moment I realized I had a passion for teaching.”

Aikens earned his undergraduate degree from Duquesne and went on to receive his master’s degree from the Catholic University of America.

He previously taught at charter schools in Newark before spending four years in Nashville public schools. Now, as a teacher at Baldwin, Aikens hopes to offer students fresh perspectives, shaped by his unique journey into education.

“I hope I bring a different perspective,” he said. “I haven’t followed a traditional path to get here. I hope my previous experiences can especially help teach juniors and seniors because of the massive strides they are taking in life. I hope that based on my experiences, I can offer my students a sense of guidance and stability in making these massive decisions.”

Aikens said he enjoys seeing the culture of the high school, and he is surprised by how well it flows throughout the day, despite being much larger than his previous schools. 

“I’m surprised by the entire flow of the school and how smoothly it functions. Coming from smaller schools, it was a lot easier to manage – I knew everyone in all the grades. So I am excited to see new faces and meet new people everyday.”

Aikens credited Baldwin students and administrators for taking pride in their school

“I feel like the students take a lot of pride in coming here, whether or not you admit it,” he said. “It seems like you guys enjoy being here. I also give massive credit to the students and administration for setting such a great culture for this massive school seamlessly.”