My name is Heath Thornton. I am originally from the Hudsonville area and have lived here my entire life. I personally could think of no better place that I would rather be situated. There are so many things that West Michigan has to offer, and I continue to find joy in the small things because I believe they come together to make up a large portion of life experiences.
Throughout my 17 years of swimming and 7 years of coaching (thus far), I have found that in the pursuit of excellence, you can never stop learning new things to enhance your craft. This same aspect applies to education. Even though we graduate and move on from school, we never truly stop learning. There is always room for improvement. Even the best of the best know there is something more to discover.
Education has become something I value highly. As a young student, I faced a great deal of struggles at the elementary level. I remember my elementary teachers inspiring me to do well based on a principle they practiced daily. Thanks to their constant support and positive insight, I was able to become a very successful student. Since this change, I have sought to implement their strategy into my practices as a teacher. The idea is that if you treat a person as they are, they shall remain that way. If you treat a person as they could be, they shall aspire to what could be possible.
As for my experience in education, I attended Alma College with a double major in Elementary Education and English Language Arts. The education and assistance I received along the way has thoroughly prepared me for the opportunity to student teach and begin my career with a mindset of putting students first. The students, to me, are more than just faces. I am genuinely looking forward to the opportunity to positively impact each student and serve as a facilitator to help guide them towards success.
Though I am blessed with a stable home life, this is not as much the case for all students in the classroom. Through my time in teacher preparation courses, I have noticed many instances of students that have difficult situations and need some consistency and support in their lives. I had multiple opportunities to provide an education-based support that students could view in a positive light, which in turn impacted their thoughts toward school and learning. As a teacher, I want to be a positive influence in my students’ lives. I want to be there, care, and advocate for students.
I enjoy the opportunities west Michigan has to offer to individuals and families. I grew up here, and would like to give back to a community that fostered my growth in such a kind-hearted way. This is a wonderful place for children to grow and develop lifelong ties to the tradition of excellence found here.