Tabor Academy is excited to welcome Mr. Ferguson, a dynamic new educator who has recently joined the faculty as a Spanish teacher. He brings a rich background in language instruction and a passion for helping students discover their potential.
Mr. Ferguson wanted not only a job as a Spanish teacher but also a community where he could make meaningful connections with students. His transition to Tabor has been both exciting and challenging, though he now feels at home. Outside of his teaching position, Mr. Ferguson is also a dorm parent in Bushnell House, which has allowed him to connect with students outside the classroom. In addition, he is also the assistant coach for the Girls Cross Country team, an interest dating back to his high school years.
Mr. Ferguson’s favorite part of teaching is seeing the creativity that his students bring to the table. When teaching the preterite and imperfect tenses in Spanish, he often asks his students to write stories in the past tense using three random words from the dictionary.
“It’s fascinating to see what students come up with, and how they navigate the limitations,” he says.
When it comes to grading, Mr. Ferguson has a balanced approach. While he doesn’t mind the routine, he finds grading creative work, such as Spanish writing assignments, especially engaging.
“It’s interesting to see how each student approaches language creatively,” he says.
He often listens to his favorite music to help make the more mundane grading tasks go by smoothly.
At the heart of Mr. Ferguson’s teaching philosophy is a deep conviction that every person is intelligent and interesting. He believes in creating an inclusive classroom environment where each student’s voice is valued, and their unique strengths are encouraged.
“Teaching is about more than just imparting knowledge,” he says. “It’s about helping students discover who they are and what they’re capable of.”
