Andrew Chapin’s day job is a physical education teacher at Mason High School, but he far surpasses his call of duty as a teacher. Chapin believes there is more to education than what is learned in the classroom, and he strives to use his passion for fitness and athletics to be a positive influence in youth’s lives.
 
What does your school day consist of and what do you do outside of the regular school day?
 
Chapin: Each morning I arrive at school around 7:15 a.m. and teach three classes —health, psychology and advanced physical education. The school day wraps up for students around 2:15 p.m. and then my after-school routine begins.
 
I lift weights and do an ab exercise until it’s time to pick up my kids. My wife is a physician and very busy, so my three sons and I have dinner and then head out to practice. My two oldest sons play sports and I coach youth football, basketball and baseball. Any given night of the week we have some sort of practice or game to go to.
 
When we get home, I put my kids to bed and hang out with my wife for a few hours. Once my wife goes to bed I work out until about 1 a.m., go to bed, then do it all again the next day.
 
With such a jam-packed schedule, why do you feel it’s important to put in the extra work?

Chapin: I’m in education because I love my students, and working with them day in and day out is my favorite part of my job. I feel the same way when I coach. Coaching is an extension of the classroom.
 
During the day I get to teach health, psychology and advanced physical education. In the evenings, through coaching, I get to teach sports and athletics. I’ve always been passionate about athletics. I played a lot of sports growing up and football through college. It’s great to be able to take something that I’m passionate about and give back to kids, including my own.
 
It’s the coolest thing to get to watch the kids I coach grow, develop and learn life lessons through sports. They learn how to never give up and build a strong work ethic. In a world of being super busy, working out and running several miles at night is my “me time.”
 
What challenges do you face when setting out to inspire students to live healthy lifestyles? How do you overcome these challenges?

Chapin: I strive to be a good role model for all my students and kids I coach, because not everyone has a role model at home or outside of school or practice. I hope that when my students see me working out, eating healthy, keeping a positive image online and embarking on endeavors like training for a new marathon, they think “if he can do it, so can I.”
 
As a role model, you’re on a platform for kids to see at all times and being constantly on can be a challenge, but it’s a fun challenge that I enjoy.
 
Speaking of an online presence, how do you use your Twitter account to interact with your students?

Chapin: Every evening I post either a homework reminder or what our plan is for the next day for each of my three classes. I tweet a quote of the day, and I chose one student per day to compliment for being a good kid. Sometimes students are struggling or just need a pick-me-up, and I strive for my Twitter account to be where they can go for inspiration.
 
What is the biggest reward of teaching?

Chapin: It’s the little moments of success that students have, and you know you played a role in their success. It’s a huge reward to see a student or young athlete do something awesome, and have them turn around and give you a thumbs up or thank you for what you’ve done for them.
 
These moments come in so many different ways, shapes and forms — whether it’s seeing a student struggle through class and then work hard to achieve that good grade or tell me I’m the most inspirational person in their life.
 
I have a group of students training to race in the Grand Rapids River Bank 15-mile run. I’m helping them train and it’s awesome to see them get pumped up about the hard work they’ve put in, then thank me for the time I’ve put into them. It’ll be the most rewarding thing to see them cross the finish line with a smile on their faces.
 
Learn more about how Chapin educates and inspires his students by following him on Twitter @ChapesFamily.