History teacher connecting the dots

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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Glenwood Middle School eighth-grade American History teacher Dave Nypaver shared some pride over the sign sharing his name and denoting his first classroom as a certified teacher.

By SARAH FOOR

sfoor@vindy.com

For years after his graduation from Howland, Dave Nypaver worked ‘dead-end jobs’ before deciding he needed a change. At the age of 25, he headed to Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., and graduated with a degree in history and secondary education.

Nypaver recently found his perfect job: Teaching eighth-grade American history at Boardman Glenwood Middle School.

“It took a while, but I know tI found the right job for me. I really love this subject, but I also love being around the kids. I play sports and I coach, too, and being around kids this age really keeps me grounded, but optimistic, too,” Nypaver said.

In Nypaver’s classroom, his subject is American history, but he hopes to give his students life skills as well.

“I try to teach a variety of skills. I want my students to be comfortable speaking in front of a group of people and master creative writing skills. As a history teacher, I get asked all the time, ‘Why does this matter now?’ I want my students to make connections and see how history applies to them,” Nypaver said.

Nypaver brought plenty of life experience with him into his classroom, but he says only one reality of being a teacher managed to surprise him.

“There is a lot of paperwork. It’s definitely a battle to stay on top of the pile,” he said.