orking in a bicycle shop, as a construction worker, as a tutor, as a painter, as a janitor and as a waiter, Spanish maestro Glenn Thompson was a jack of all trades before he became a teacher.
“I was good at Spanish in high school, but I didn’t think I was going to be a Spanish teacher,” Thompson said. “Teaching comes naturally to me.”
Thompson, a Roswell, N.M., native, first attended junior college in New Mexico, then in Arizona before finally enrolling at West Texas A&M with an undecided major.
“I talked to a teacher in WT, and she told me to get my degree in teaching,” Thompson said. “Because of my Spanish teacher and English teacher, I thought it might be a possibility. They were really good teachers.”
Thompson received his bachelor’s degree at WT and went on to Texas Tech University where he earned his master’s degree in Spanish.
While at WT, Thompson met now math teacher then student Kenzie Thompson.
“Ever since we’ve been married, we’ve worked in the same building,” Mrs. Thompson said. “I’m kind of spoiled because I never ever bring my purse to school. If I need money I go to him. This is the first year I’ve had to drive myself to work.”
Being an educator, however, does not only apply in the classroom for Thompson. He takes his job home to his sons.
“He’s always teaching the kids stuff,” Mrs. Thompson said. “They know every team mascot, every team color, everything.”
While teaching in Floydada with Mrs. Thompson, Thompson taught math for a short time.
“I didn’t trust the other teachers to do my tutorials, so he taught them for me,” Mrs. Thompson said. “He really did help those kids.”
Thompson has also taught the high school Bible study at Seagraves 12th Street Church of Christ for two years.
“We’re really involved in our church,” Thompson said. “We spend at least two days of the week with church and Sunday activities.”
While Thompson spends much of his time with his children, students and church, he also makes time for his hobby–heavy metal concerts.
“I keep every ticket,” Thompson said. “My first one was Primus in 1995. I’ve been to at least 40 shows.”
From heavy metal concerts to teaching Bible study classes, Thompson said learning and education are some of the most important aspects of his life.
“I still believe in education,” Thompson said. “I’ll always be involved in education. I think it is my passion now, and it wasn’t before.”
