Tyler Cobb is one of the many new teachers at Reynolds this year. While Cobb has a certification to teach both English and History, at Reynolds he teaches High School English, English 3 and English 1 Honors.

Cobb has also taught theology and has been the campus minister at a previous school, but English was always a subject that came “naturally” to him. Even though English was Cobbs favorite subject, teaching wasn’t the only choice he considered for a profession.

“I got into teaching because I was looking for a profession,” Cobb said. “I got into law school also so I had this choice to make. People kept on telling me that lawyers would work 60 hours a week and it would be unrewarding and everyone jokes about lawyers and then I said, ‘maybe not.’”

Through teaching, Cobb can enjoy his life in multiple ways and make a significant impact on the lives of others.

“I like to travel, and teaching allowed me to travel and have free time to do what I want to do,” Cobb said. “I get paid for reading and I’ve been working with youth in connection with my church for so long that I actually like working with and expanding the minds of teenagers.”

Prior to moving to Winston Salem, Cobb has taught at several schools, mostly in the western United States.

“My first job was in a small Catholic school in Missoula, Montana,” Cobb said. “Then, I came down to Hawthorne, Nevada, with a grand total of 220 kids and I taught every level of English there for five years.”

Cobb decided to move to Winston Salem last year and he began working at an elementary and middle school. However, Cobb decided earlier this year to start interviewing for a new teaching job. Cobb was hired at three different schools and ultimately chose Reynolds. There were various factors that aided Cobb in his decision. Through his church choir, Cobb befriended former and current chorus teachers Terry Hicks and Michael Martinez.

Mr. Hicks said, ‘You will find that it is the most representative of the actual community of Winston Salem, and you will be challenged but it will be more rewarding than the other schools,’” Cobb said.

Through his first few months at Reynolds, Cobb has had great support from the English Department at Reynolds. Still, Cobb has reservations and has been confused by the culture of Reynolds and the disinterest in learning of some students.

“There’s a learning curve so you’re always wondering if the things happening in your class are happening in the other classrooms,” Cobb said. “Is it something that I’m doing personally? Do I not know what I need to know?”

Many of Cobb’s students are impressed with his class and teaching. Junior Jude Mello is in Cobb’s English 3 class and would describe Cobb as respectable, refined and cultured.

“He has expectations for us in regards to how we behave and how we treat this class,” Mello said.

Mello particularly enjoyed an assignment that focused on identity.

“He is very engaging,” Mello said. “He makes the student explain themselves…he doesn’t like shallow answers.”

Like many new teachers at Reynolds, Cobb has to travel from classroom to classroom on a cart, which has been proven to be a challenge for him, but the experience has taught Cobb to be more organized. Cobb believes he fits in at Reynolds and is hopeful that in the rest of his career at Reynolds, he can create a stronger bond between himself and the community of Reynolds.

“I’ve worked some places where I’ve been there for five years and by the second year it is just that much easier because your reputation precedes you,” Cobb said. “I’m hoping with even this semester system that I’ll be able to make it so my reputation precedes me.”

Photo from WS/FCS