Mr. Shields is a drama teacher that has been teaching since 2007. He is very dedicated to the subject of Drama and enjoys sharing his knowledge with his students. He has worked in a lot of projects along his career and he has used that to grow as a person.

He enjoys getting to know his students every year and appreciates when they come back to visit or when they keep in touch even after they have already graduated.

Mr. Shields likes seeing his students learn and improve their skills. A big impact he has done on his students also concludes seeing shy students really find a strong voice and blossom on stage. He makes sure by the end of the year they flourish and they enjoy themselves.

Mr.Shields’ passion for acting led him to start a whole new journey in his life. “I started acting in middle school, continued through high school, and still act on stage and occasionally in films today.” Mr. Shields continues,  “I also direct theater. It’s one of the things I really know how to do.”

Being both a teacher and an actor makes Mr. Shields feel like he is living two different lives. “I think many teachers here know me well enough, but what they might not know is that I have a second life where I perform and direct theater outside of school. This year alone, I performed in six different plays. I also have a daughter (Kimmy Shields) who is a professional actress and is currently in a series of TV commercials for Verizon” He explained. 

Although Mr. Shields is spending his time teaching and acting; he does both at the best of his abilities. He helps students find passion for acting. “I have seen students begin the year scared and crying, unable to get on stage alone,” said Mr. Shields, “by the end of the year, they are up on stage alone and really enjoying themselves, and they are good actors as well.”

Being a teacher has led to a lot of personal and professional growth for Mr.Shields. He learned about himself and others, including what it means to truly be a teacher. “It [drama] gives students something they don’t get in other classes. It puts students in a position where they have to learn how to work together, and give feedback to each other in a constructive way.”

Mr. Shields is an example of a teacher that is truly passionate about his subject. Both students and teachers benefit from having an instructor and colleague that puts the time and care into their  craft the way that Mr.shields does.