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Over the years, thousands of students have come through Harrisonburg High School. But it is not often that after only three years, one of these pupils comes back to join the faculty. Ben Frederick is this staff member. Frederick has been substituting/teacher assisting for two years now. This year he’s moved to a full time job. He assists with Joey Beppler, Erin Sutliff, Walt Williamson, and Jere Borg. Frederick also monitors a couple Junior/Senior seminar classes.
“I really enjoy teaching my Junior/Senior seminar classes the most, I get to talk with the kids and connect with them sharing about my experiences.” And experiences are something that Frederick has in large supply, during his two years as a music major, and an additional year as a media and design major, Frederick worked at UREC as an adventure and climbing instructor. It was around that time that Frederick fell in love with cycling and began pursuing it more seriously. This was the deciding factor in Frederick’s decision to leave college without a degree.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. I wanted to continue cycling full time, and to marry my then-girlfriend. In order to do these things I had to start making money to fund these new ventures, and a spot opened up at Harrisonburg for a teaching assistant,” Frederick said. The next week Frederick had an interview with his old principal, Irene Reynolds. The process only lasted about two weeks, and Frederick got the call to come in for work.
“The hours are awesome, they allow to me to continue cycling professionally. September 14th through October 30th, I have to race every weekend out of state because of my schedule,” Frederick said. Frederick has gone beyond the call of duty in his job as well. As a junior/senior seminar teacher he makes fresh scones from scratch a time or two a week to give to his kids and allow them to bring in food to share with the class.
“Frederick is an awesome teacher, he’s a really chill dude. I can get work done in this class when I have to, and socialize when I’m done. I think if Frederick finished his degree he would make a great teacher,” senior Connor Boyle said. Frelling, and entertaining has made him a favorite amongst the students in his classes.
“Mr. Frederick is the man. He’s done everything, he rock climbs, snowboards, surfs, and bikes. He’s got the lifestyle down, and he makes a mean scone,” junior Hayden Rutherford said.