*Staff Spotlight* Meet Nick Gwozdz English Teacher

Position/Role at Lakeview:
English Teacher

Number of Years in Education:
13

Number of Years at Lakeview:
6

What inspired you to become an educator/choose your
profession?
For the first two and a half years at university, I was
an undecided major who was focused on getting an
education that would allow me to make a lot of
money. During my junior year, I had a professor that
was extremely inspiring to me. He strayed from what
I considered to be a "normal" English class and
facilitated discussion that really helped me see
literature through multiple different lenses, which
allowed me to start seeing day-to-day life in different
ways. To make a long story short, he shared a little
anecdote about how Oakland University could not
pay him and he would still show up to teach. That
anecdote allowed me to see that purpose was more
valuable than money, and I thought my life would be
most meaningful if I could impact a single student in a
similar way.

What is one fun fact about yourself that students or
colleagues might not know?
I graduated from Lakeview and played on the unified
hockey team. Many of my colleagues were once my
teachers, and I continue to learn from them despite
no longer formally being their student.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of school?
Rock climbing, traveling, gardening, and learning
how to fix and maintain things.

Do you have a favorite quote or motto that inspires
you?
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to
make you something else is the greatest
accomplishment."