Phillip Bolduc is taking in the new environment as a recently hired education support professional (ESP) at Westford Academy with three years of teaching experience and a degree from UMass Lowell. Looking forward to the warm community, Bolduc hopes to have a positive impact on students and encourages them to get involved in multiple aspects of the school. Bolduc is currently involved in WA Mock Trial and he is excited to continue his teaching journey at Westford Academy.
Q: How did you find yourself at Westford Academy?
A: I was at Chelmsford High for about three years, but it was mostly long-term subbing. So [Westford Academy] was a little bit more permanent of a position, and luckily, I got the position.
Q: Outside of your job, what are your hobbies and activities?
A: I like to jet ski [as] I live on a lake, and hiking is a big one. And I don’t know if this sounds sad, [but I love] to have downtime to relax and read.
Q: What was your experience like in high school?
A: Really good, [I] tried to do as many clubs and sports [as] I could, […] mock trial being one of them, [and I also played] football, track, and basketball.
Q: What lessons from the school environment and sports did you carry into your teaching career?
A: [The] big one, as far as being an educator, is communication, making sure everyone understands what’s going on. [Also] being very flexible and just trying to help students out because everyone has bad days.
Q: What jobs in the education department have you had previously?
A: I’ve basically been [in] the departments focused on history, and then also ELA. Those are my two strengths.
Q: What do you look forward to when you walk into school every day?
A: Even coming in here, everyone’s in such a good mood. I love it. Honestly, everyone seems happy, and like I said, I know people have bad days, but you can feel a different vibe when you walk in here. I know you guys probably haven’t been outside of Westford, but it’s not like this everywhere.
Q: What growth do you hope to see with your students?
A: Not necessarily that they get the highest grade in the class, but [that] they’ve honestly [done] their best and they’ve made some type of progress, whether it’s doing better on tests [or] making sure their homework is done on time. That’s pretty much the little baby steps that you look for.
Q: How else are you involved at Westford Academy besides working as a student support ESP?
A: [I am] helping out with Mock Trial, kind of being the trainee. I’m trying to get ready for the second half of the second semester. I would love to, if given the opportunity, help [coach] here, either with basketball or track and field.
Q: Where do you see yourself in three years from now?
A: Hopefully here, [I] really want to be here. And hopefully, it’s either in history or [ELA], that’s the overall goal, but it would definitely be awesome to be here.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming and current high schoolers?
A: To not just come here and then just go home. To do something that they’re interested in, whether it be a club [or] a sport, and take advantage because this school has a crazy amount of clubs, in a good way. [Westford Academy] is a really cool school with a great community, so just really appreciate that.