Sean Thurston was inspired to become a history teacher by researching his family tree.
“I found out that someone who I’m related to signed the Mayflower Compact, and also that through marriage I’m technically related to Pocahontas. These things were so interesting to me that I decided to go into teaching history,” Thurston said.
Thurston said that discovering personal family history is important for everyone to consider.
“I think that it is important to find out where your family was in different periods of time. It makes learning about bigger events in history more interesting, because you can know what your family was doing during those times,” Thurston said.
After attending high school at South Park, Thurston studied education at Penn State. Thurston is already familiar with the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, as he previously taught eighth grade here.
“It’s pretty easy to get to know everyone and make friends. The staff here has been really nice and the students have been nice as well,” Thurston said.
Outside of teaching, Thurston is a hockey coach for South Park High School. He is also a member of an adult league and he occasionally plays in Bethel Park on Sundays.
“Hockey has definitely been a big part of my life,” Thurston said.
Switching to a school with four grade levels can be a challenge, but Thurston said things have been going well for him.
“I’ve been getting to know everyone well, and even in the hallways the kids are kind and saying hi to me. It’s been really nice so far,” Thurston said.
