*update*: Leo Tampacopoulos currently works as a History Teacher for the Positive Personal Change Program, a program for students suspended from 6-20 days.
Leo Tampacopoulos is a History and Law teacher for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.
“The challenges of the job include dealing with the social issues that come up with regards to students. Also, discipline can be a problem,” says Leo, who has a Bachelor of Education. “The rewards are when kids truly look to you as a role model and they respond to your approach to teaching and caring.”
He says his work requires patience, a willingness to think outside the box, intelligence, and empathy.
“You also have to have people skills and be organized to succeed,” he says.
Leo previously worked as an English teacher at the St. George Business and Language Private School and an ESL instructor at George Brown College.
“Networking is the only way to be successful in finding teaching jobs. Most people I know who are in stable successful careers, got there because they were able to know the right people,” he says.
“It took a long time for me to get into teaching. I had to get a lot of volunteer and teaching related experience before I could apply to teacher's college. In many cases you need perseverance, dedication and patience to reach your final goal. I longed to teach history and finally in my fourth year of teaching and many years since graduation, I am here.”
If he could have done anything differently, Leo says he would have done a Masters Degree right after his bachelor of Education.
“Now as a full-time worker it is hard to find the time to go back to school. One day I will go back to graduate school when things become more stable,” he says.
“In retrospect I also would have participated more in school events for future friendships and networking. Never give up. Take what you love and try to make a career of it.”