Faculty Friday: Thomas Till

Our "Faculty Friday" series highlights one faculty member from the Welch Center every Friday. We ask these faculty members about their career, their work, and what they love about Goucher.

This week's faculty member: 
Thomas Till
Faculty Member, Goucher's Graduate Programs in Education
Aquatics Director, Head Men's and Women's Swim Coach

What excites you most about the field of education?

I have been a coach now for 25 years and I find that there are a lot of similarities between coaching and teaching. My motivation comes from the motivation and energy that I see in my students/athletes. To see that they can gain the knowledge and experience that will be practical and used in their professional careers.

Tell us about your first job in education.

Well, it started back when I was a graduate assistant at the College of New Jersey. I had been teaching a few American Red Cross courses for our school but always considered myself a coach more than a teacher. One day a professor that taught one of the courses was retiring and asked me to step in that semester...I've been teaching ever since.

What inspired you to become an educator?

My mentor and coach, Brian Bishop. He was a big part of helping me see that I could do something like this.

What's your advice to new and aspiring teachers?

Regardless of what you teach, show that you love the field and the content—geek out!!!

What's your favorite thing about Goucher's M.Ed. or M.A.T. program?

Since I started teaching in the program (about 20 years now), I found that what I talk about in my classroom and courses will constantly challenge me to check how I personally do things on a day-to-day basis. I never want to be one of those people who makes statements such as "do as I say and not as I do," from the professional standpoint. "If you're going to talk the talk, you'd better walk the walk," seems to be more my style.