By Katie Murphy ’14 | Staff Writer

After teaching at different districts for a total of nine years, physics and chemistry teacher, Rob Curtiss started teaching at South at the  semester to fill in the position of resigned science teacher Lisa Maddens.

Initially out of high school, Curtiss was hoping to be a veterinarian. After having graduated Wayne State with his degree, he had problems getting into a veterinarian school. He then became more involved with his old boy scout troop, where he then later discovered that teaching is the career for him.

“I was talking to a former boss of mine from boy scouts and she had a son and a daughter in college at the time and told me that I need to be a teacher,” said Curtiss. “ I thought ‘you know what, you’re right’ and I went right back into school and got my teaching degree.”

Once he realized that he wanted to become a teacher, he went right back to Wayne State where he got his masters’ degree said Curtiss. Ever since deciding to become a teacher, he could not be happier with his choice and has loved every minute of his job.

“I still love teaching, if you told me I couldn’t teach I wouldn’t have a secondary job, unless game show host was an option,” said Curtiss. “But I do not have a secondary job for what I would want to do.”

Science Department Chair, James Adams, said he has been impressed with Curtiss’ ability to adjust and fits in well with the science department. The department has been very helpful with assisting Curtiss in learning the ropes of his new job.

“He fits in well with the science department, we have had new people,. I think our department is really helpful,” said Adams. “He can go to anyone and say ‘how do you do this?’ or ‘what am I doing?’ which I think is really helpful.”

Denisa Nazarko ’15 said that Curtiss has been doing  a great job filling in Maddens’ position, especially with coming in halfway through the year like he did. He has helped the students adjust to a new teacher as he is adjusting to the students.

“I think that he (Curtiss) is doing a great job,” said Nazarko. “He is a really good teacher, and has really made everybody feel comfortable although he had to come in halfway through the year like he did.”

Curtiss is expected to remain the long-term substitute teacher until the end of this school year, said Adams. At the end of this year, the position for a permanent teacher will open up in which Curtiss will be included for consideration with the new candidates.

“We will post the position at the end of the year which will bring in new candidates because it is kind of a better time to hire somebody at the end of the year as opposed to in the middle,” said Adams. “He (Curtiss) will definitely be in the mix for that, in a way this long-term position is a way to see if he likes it here and if we like him here.”

After working at South for about a month now, Curtiss has enjoyed his time here and is looking forward to finishing up the rest of this school year, said Curtiss.

“It has been stressful but wonderful, the students and staff have been nothing but welcoming and helpful to get myself acclimated to the classroom and school,” said Curtiss.