Mr. LeClair's Journey
It is such a thrill to be a part of the Van Hoosen Middle School Staff! I wanted to let you know a little bit about my journey into becoming your Physical Education or GDL Teacher!
I grew up in Michigan and actually attended Rochester Community Schools. I graduated from Western Michigan University, with a degree in Elementary Education, Science Education, and Physical Education. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to try and live somewhere warm and because of this, my wife and I moved to Florida in 2007.
I spent my first 8 years in the classroom teaching 3rd-5th graders in central Florida. I loved teaching in the classroom, and I really found my love for teaching Science. I really felt that teaching students to understand the power of asking questions and finding results through data was so important for their developing minds. Because I showed such a love and passion, it was recognized by my peers. In 2012, I was awarded Polk County's Teacher of the Year at Griffin Elementary. It was quite the honor, and it felt great to be recognized for my passion. After many years in the classroom a position opened up to become a P.E. coach at my school. I made the switch and I became a P.E. teacher for the next 3 years.
With my own personal children growing up, my wife and I decided that it was time for us to get back to Michigan. Our families are still here and of course RCS is the ideal spot to have our children go to school. I knew that when we returned, I would apply for positions at the Middle School level because I truly enjoyed working with the older students.
For that last 5 years it has been a whirl wind! I spent two years at Hart Middle School teaching Science. Because of the pandemic I was then moved to the Virtual Campus. I loved the idea of building something sustainable and continued at the virtual campus for another year. It was then that I was hired as a Physical Education and technology teacher at this Van Hoosen!
I look forward to sharing my passion in Science, Technology, and P.E. as well as opening up my heart to teach all of my wonderful students at Van Hoosen!
I grew up in Michigan and actually attended Rochester Community Schools. I graduated from Western Michigan University, with a degree in Elementary Education, Science Education, and Physical Education. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to try and live somewhere warm and because of this, my wife and I moved to Florida in 2007.
I spent my first 8 years in the classroom teaching 3rd-5th graders in central Florida. I loved teaching in the classroom, and I really found my love for teaching Science. I really felt that teaching students to understand the power of asking questions and finding results through data was so important for their developing minds. Because I showed such a love and passion, it was recognized by my peers. In 2012, I was awarded Polk County's Teacher of the Year at Griffin Elementary. It was quite the honor, and it felt great to be recognized for my passion. After many years in the classroom a position opened up to become a P.E. coach at my school. I made the switch and I became a P.E. teacher for the next 3 years.
With my own personal children growing up, my wife and I decided that it was time for us to get back to Michigan. Our families are still here and of course RCS is the ideal spot to have our children go to school. I knew that when we returned, I would apply for positions at the Middle School level because I truly enjoyed working with the older students.
For that last 5 years it has been a whirl wind! I spent two years at Hart Middle School teaching Science. Because of the pandemic I was then moved to the Virtual Campus. I loved the idea of building something sustainable and continued at the virtual campus for another year. It was then that I was hired as a Physical Education and technology teacher at this Van Hoosen!
I look forward to sharing my passion in Science, Technology, and P.E. as well as opening up my heart to teach all of my wonderful students at Van Hoosen!