There have been many changes so far this school year, and a new business teacher is one of them. Meet Mr. Sweeney, who is thrilled to begin his teaching career at 52 years old.
As a business teacher, Mr. Sweeney teaches multiple classes that prepare students for the business world. MYP Business Principles, Marketing 1, and Advanced Marketing are the classes he will teach this semester.
Mr. Sweeney is also the new DECA advisor and is excited to support the club throughout the school year. As a parent to a former DECA participant, Mr. Sweeney has had some exposure to the club but is still learning new things about DECA.
Mr. Sweeney hopes that DECA participants “push themselves, try something different, put themselves out there and get out of their comfort zone,”
He also plans to “give [students] the reign to pursue those passions and dreams they have”.
Mr. Sweeney views teaching as his “second career”, as he has had almost 30 years of experience in business prior to teaching. Mr. Sweeney worked in supply and logistics in the Marine Corps, sales in Pfizer, and more recently in internet startups. Some of these startups include E-Sports and Yahoo Sports. Mr. Sweeney has also ran various educational programs in schools during his career and was even a bus driver last year. Just recently he has begun working as a full-time teacher. So what inspired Mr. Sweeney to work at Littleton High School?
“I had life saving surgery a while back. It gave me perspective. You need to follow that passion,” said Sweeney.
“I got caught up in the money world… I lost myself in chasing money. I realized money isn’t what it’s all about. Finding purpose, helping others is what it’s about,” said Sweeney.
Now that he has fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming an educator, Mr. Sweeney cannot wait for what the future holds for him.
This school year, Mr. Sweeney is excited to connect with students at Littleton High School. As a teacher, Mr. Sweeney strives to help students find their passions and purpose in life to give them direction after graduation.
“If we can find out what makes you tick, we can provide a direction on if you should go to college, if you should go into trade school, or if you should go straight into the workforce,” said Sweeney.
Through his business lectures, Mr. Sweeney also hopes to make his students employable to ensure success after high school.
Mr. Sweeney wants the Littleton High School community to know that he aims to make his classroom an inclusive environment.
“As a society we need to be more inclusive of everybody. Everyone can be a contributor,” said Sweeney.
He also wants students to know that everyone has a place in this world and everyone can make a contribution to society and the environment- big or small.
