Michael Hillman is a new physical education teacher here at Westford Academy, and the Ghostwriter was able to interview him about his past and his new position at WA.

Question: What was your previous job before teaching here at Westford Academy?

A: I was a youth director on a military base for the Boys and Girls Club.

Q: Have you been a teacher anywhere else?

A: I have done long-term subbing in Grafton, I have done some subbing for a Department of Defense School overseas, and I’ve done day to day subbing the last couple of years in this area of Massachusetts.

Q: Since when have you wanted to be a teacher? 

A: I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was in third grade. I had this teacher,  Miss Westerman. I’ll never forget her. She really brought school to life in such unique ways, and I said to myself, ‘I want to do this’.

Q: What are your interests and hobbies?

A: That’s a loaded question. It really depends on the season, but I love sports. I love anything that moves faster than me, like wakeboarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing, snowboarding. I like canoeing, hiking, basketball, soccer, everything. I play guitar a little bit, and I like my pets.

Q: Did you play any sports in high school or college?

A: I did in high school. I played basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, we didn’t have any baseball, and I played inner tube water polo.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I grew up overseas in the Marshall Islands. I’ve jumped around a lot, but if I had to say where I’m from, born and raised in the Marshall Islands. Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. Seven square miles, so very, very small.

Q: Where did you go to college? 

A: I went to Manhattan College-which is ironically in the Bronx- for my undergrad, and I went to Fitchburg State for my Masters.

Q: What are you most excited about here at WA?

A: Being back in school, honestly. It’s been a while since I was in an academic setting, so to be back to school, to be around youth, to be working towards a goal. I find it all very exciting.