U.S. History teacher Charles Lewis has dedicated 19 years of his career to teaching at Fauquier High School (FHS). He loves his job and enjoys bringing lots of fun and energy into everyday life.
Lewis has always had a passion for teaching after being surrounded by the profession in his childhood. “I come from a long line of teachers. My grandfather was a high school teacher, my father was a teacher/principal so then I just got into the family business. I guess you could say,” said Lewis. Lewis loves to spend time with the students, saying, “One of the biggest impacts on me as a teacher is the impact that the kids have had on me. It keeps me grounded and it keeps me coming back to work every day because I really enjoy what I do.”
Lewis’s favorite part about being a teacher is lecturing and getting to know his students. “I like the lecture about history, but my favorite thing about teaching is when you have a student that’s really engaged in the content,” Lewis continued. Lewis enjoys his students’ involvement in his class, saying, “When a kid shows an interest in history and they ask great questions or they respond to the lecture and are really engaged, that’s the best thing.” While Lewis’s main job is to teach his students, he also finds himself learning from them. “They taught me a lot of patience and a lot of empathy. [It’s a lot of] putting yourself in their shoes and trying to understand them [and] what they might be dealing with,” finished Lewis.
Lewis is known around the school as a fun, energetic person, and that is intentional. “My favorite part of my day is my walk in the building. I try to bring some energy as soon as I walk in, no matter how I feel. It might be the worst day of my life, but as soon as I step through the doors, I try to bring positivity,” said Lewis.
Lewis grew up in the South in a town that was directly related to the Civil War. “I’ve always loved history. I grew up in a city where tourism is based around the Civil War so you’re kind of engulfed in it,” Lewis said. Lewis has always had a fascination for history and is glad that he gets to teach it now.
On top of teaching U.S. History, Lewis also teaches the African American history class. “[People should take this class] to just learn the history and culture of a group that’s been in America since the beginning as well…African American…contributions to America get overshadowed sometimes.” Lewis enjoys teaching both subjects and is happy to spark more interest in history in students.
Lewis is a phenomenal teacher who can make any student’s day brighter. His history classes facilitate a positive learning environment that keeps students engaged throughout the entire course. Lewis is excited for what the future years in FHS will bring to his classes.
