Clague ELA teacher Philip Cartman has a passion for reading and writing. He is always working hard to help his students and shares his ideas with his colleagues. But he did not enjoy reading and writing at first.
“I love reading and writing,” said Cartman. “I did not start there, but after finding some allies that believed in me, I learned what I could do and how much enjoyment can be found in a good book.
As an ELA teacher, Cartman loves to work with his students and interact with his colleagues as he shares his ideas for what they can do together.
“Each fall it is exciting to meet new students and find younger siblings of former students,” Cartman said. “I missed the advisory recess this year.”
Cartman lives with his partner Rachel and their son. He grew up in Ann Arbor with his mom, dad, brother and sister.
“Until recently, everyone still lived in the area, but then my sister moved her family to Portland, Oregon,” Cartman said. “I like being able to visit my parents in the house I grew up in.”
During his free time he enjoys traveling with his family, backpacking, riding his bike, swimming in Lake Michigan, and playing hockey. He loves food and is an ovo-lacto vegetarian which means he eats eggs and dairy products like milk, but not meat.
“I like sunny days and sleeping in a tent during a rainstorm (as long as it is not too windy),” Cartman said. “I wish I had one favorite food. I like food a lot.”
Philip Cartman faced many challenges to become the person he is today. But throughout his journey of learning how to love reading and writing, he learned many important lessons.
“Be kind, work hard and believe in yourself,” Cartman said. “You truly can do anything. Each path you choose might not take you where you expected, but it will take you on an adventure.”
