Teachers make the decision to enter the educational field for a number of reasons. For some, it can be that they enjoy teaching others, while others want to help future generations learn what they need to know. But for Roger Mitchell, his biggest reason for becoming an educator was the influence that several of his teachers had on his life.
“The first was Mr. Reed, my fifth-grade teacher,” Mitchell said. “He taught me the importance of always doing my best in and out of the classroom. The second was my eleventh-grade English teacher Mrs. Barbra Pichon. She made me realize that my talents and gifts were not just on the athletic field but also on my mind. She taught me to set goals and make a plan for reaching those goals. Both of them were people of strong faith. And helped me to develop my own spiritual beliefs.”
Mitchell teaches United States History and A.P. United States History at Durant High School. He is in his third year at Durant. Before that, he taught at Denison High School and Anna High School, both in Texas.
While he appreciates being in the classroom, Mitchell also enjoys being active in other things around campus.
“I really enjoy the classroom and getting to know my students on a personal level,” he said. “I also DJ the school dances and pep rallies. I am also the sponsor for Lion Vision, which is a video production program that highlights student life here at DHS. It includes sports highlights, Ag shows, theatre plays, bands, along with other things.”
Roger and his wife Christi have three children; Rayne, Dalton, and Amayah. He says that when he is not in the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his family doing a variety of activities.
“When I am not teaching, I enjoy playing music, going out on my boat, coaching my son’s little league teams, and most of all just spending time with my wife and kids.”
There have been a number of pieces of advice that Roger has been give throughout his teaching career, but he has one that has stuck with him the most.
“The best advice anyone has given me is to be yourself and remember if they see that you really care about them they will do anything for you.”
