About Mr. Ewart

I have been a part of the Oakland Mills community since 1972.  My connections with the area include school experiences at Steven’s Forest Elementary, Oakland Mills Middle and then at Oakland Mills High.  As a former graduate of OMHS (1986!) who literally grew up within a few hundred yards of the school I think I bring a unique perspective to my position as a teacher here.

 

I am currently in my 14th year of teaching social studies in Howard County and have sponsored a class (Go Class of 2000!) and coached a combined 20 teams in baseball and volleyball.  I recall when Sewell’s Orchard was…well an orchard and not a development! I remember when we had a local model airplane field - it is the Target now!  I also am at the age when my fellow graduates from OM have their children sitting in front of me in classes. This year I am engaged in the rigorous National Board Certification process with the sincere belief that it will challenge my own teaching practice and help me attain new levels.

 

Personally, I have been married for 19 years and have 3 kids that keep me very busy.  You might notice I like professional sports (Go O’s and … yes…COWBOYS!)!  I am really involved in spending time with my own children which includes basically a lot of chlorine air from pools. My kids swim competitively all year and you may hear me mention that at sometime. Most of my television viewing involves the Discovery Channel as I log time in with Man vs. Wild, Mythbusters and Deadliest Catch. I do also watch some of the CSI and Law and Order shows too.  The best book I read in the last year was Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell and my favorite book of all time is The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas because it has everything you could want from a great book!

 

           

 

After students first found this “boring” page about me, they convinced me that I should update my page each year with more important information. Of course they wanted a part of that input. So now, each year, I select several student questions from their final exams and I answer them on the next year’s “about me” page.  Here they are…with my answers for this year and years past:

 

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2008 - 2009

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Question:  Do you like the American Government HSA?

 

 

Hmmm… I think anyone that knows me and the way I teach a class realizes that tests like this are certainly not on my favorites list of things to do. I do like this subject a lot however and believe it is completely relevant to what teenagers need to know before they enter the “real world.”  The processes involved in how a law is made, understanding the basics of how our own system of government has evolved, tracking current issues and their relevance today, knowing what investment opportunities are available and the basics of business structure in this country are in fact valuable pieces to add to a person’s growth and maturity. On the other hand the federal government, state government and county government are all in agreement that this test is a legitimate and vital piece of what a student should know prior to graduation. And I am competitive enough to recognize what falling short of our goal means…and won’t let it happen. (p.s. on an added note: every single student in my classes passed the Government HSA last year – great job guys!)

 

 

Question:  What is your favorite all –time music artist(s)?

 

I would probably have to say it is between Billy Joel, R.E.M. and U2 but I like a lot of artists and genres through many decades. I like to listen to classic jazz when I am trying to think because it doesn’t have lyrics and so it isn’t distracting. I usually scan through the stations in my car so I listen to anything from the 50’s to current songs. My 3 kids help keep me up to date on current music and enjoy laughing when I get the lyrics wrong – which is quite often. Good news for everyone though - I do limit my singing to the car because it would officially be considered torture by the United Nations!

 

Question:  What do you do in the summer with your spare time?

 

Well, I spend a lot of time with my kids and their swim teams at pools in the area. But the real reason this student asked the question was because he wanted me to tell you all what I do in addition to that. Most teachers, without a job in the summer and time to spare, do find some other way to earn a few extra spending dollars. And like many, I have done quite a few things over the years. In the last 2 years I have opened my own snack bar at my local pool and run it as my family business. I get to interact with the people in my community and I make a little money too. It has been an interesting experiment in owning a small business.

 

Question:  Which Sailor Moon Character is your favorite?

 

Well, thanks to an introduction to one of the “best shows ever” this past year I have learned about this group of magical girls from the Japanese cartoon/manja/anime series. It is very difficult indeed to choose from among the wonderfully complex literary giants presented in the series. But alas, I must pick one: Sailor Chibi Moon is my favorite because she can travel through time and respects her mother. While I appreciated the introduction, and especially the personalities and enthusiasm of the young ladies in that class, I will likely miss future episodes due to … something or other. J

 

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2007 - 2008

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Question:  Why do you teach this stuff?

 

I enjoy the subjects I teach because they are inherently connected to the world around us.  My hope is that you are able to make these connections as we progress through the school year.  I like to think we have some fun during the year with a few stories here and there!

 

Question:  Why do you think people are apathetic when it comes to voting?

 

Great question!  I think that sometimes people feel the issues surrounding us are too big and that they are too small.  They use the common excuse they “one vote won’t matter anyway.”  I have to agree, mathematically, but disagree wholeheartedly with the excuse.  The right to express your opinion has been hard earned by countless famous names and even more we don’t even know.  If you voice your opinion (appropriately!) you have the ultimate ammunition if things don’t go your way: the old “I told you so!”

 

Question:  Why did you decide to teach here?

 

Well, quite frankly I had no intention to do so when I was your age.  I distinctly remember telling my senior year teacher that “someone would have to be crazy to teach high school.”  After college and a few years in the retail and mortgage industries, I went back to school to be certified as a teacher.  I ended up at OMHS really as a combination of interesting coincidences.  It turns out that that same teacher I had in my senior year decided I should be here in the end!  (Seriously, this is a true story – you can ask him – he still teaches next to me!)

 

Question:  Why do like the Dallas Cowboys? Didn’t you grow up around here?

 

The simple answer is that I was influenced by my big brother (who is a big Cowboys fan) and all of the whining fans of other teams that didn’t like the Cowboys.  What can I say – I went against the grain even as an 8 year old.  On the other hand, I think I’ve enjoyed more seasons than most! J

 

I will ask for next year’s input questions on your final exams in June!  Will it be yours?