Mr. Fredricks is a U.S. History teacher at Cardozo High School and has been teaching there for 18 years. Previously, he taught for 2 years on Long Island, making him a teacher for 20 years total. However, he didn’t start his career path in education. Due to his passion for making a positive impact on others, Mr. Fredricks chose to be a teacher after a career in finance.
“I’ve always felt a deep sense of fulfillment in sharing knowledge and helping others grow. The dog-eat-dog world of finance and investments doesn’t exactly provide an environment for ideas like these to flourish very often, in my opinion,” he stated in an interview.
Mr. Fredricks found that as a teacher, it is far easier to enjoy life outside of work, connect with his community, and cultivate a healthier work-life balance compared to a career in finance. Being a teacher allowed him to enjoy what he does while still having the time to focus on personal happiness and self-care.
Additionally, Mr. Fredricks grew up with both of his parents being teachers. Their passion for education and the positive impact they had on their students inspired him to follow in their footsteps and pursue a career in teaching.
Apart from teaching in the classroom, Mr. Fredricks was also a dean for six years. This experience helped develop leadership skills, taught him how to manage school-wide initiatives, and served as a wake-up call that he was better off teaching in a classroom. As a dean, Mr. Fredricks found himself missing the direct, day-to-day interactions with students in the classroom. “I realized that my true passion lies in teaching and making a more personal impact on students’ lives,” he said. Regardless of the good skills that came from being a dean, Mr. Fredricks’s true passion lies in teaching in a classroom setting.
According to Mr. Fredricks, the idea that, at the end of the day, he might have inspired or taught his students something that sticks with them forever is his favorite part of being a teacher.
“It’s not necessarily about them remembering everything I’ve shared, but if I can have them remember just one thing, or spark something within them that makes their life a little better or more fulfilling, then I feel like I’ve done my job,” said Mr. Fredricks. Apart from this, being a teacher also has its complications, which include managing the large amount of responsibility that comes with meeting the diverse needs of students, while also adhering to the curriculum requirements and school expectations.
Outside of the classroom, he has also accomplished quite a lot. While pursuing his previous career in finance and investments, he worked at the World Trade Center. Mr. Fredricks has also run numerous marathons and even some ultra-marathons. “I have even run some shorter to middle-distance races with teachers here at Cardozo, like Ms. Patlin, Mr. Hashinsky, Mr. Koskinas, and a few others too,” he explained.
As for advice, Mr. Fredricks encourages students to stay curious and never stop learning, both inside and outside the classroom environment. He also said, “I would also say that challenges are a natural part of life, and that it’s okay to make mistakes and even fail because they are important opportunities to grow—embrace those tough moments, learn from your mistakes, and never be afraid to seek help when you need it.”
Additionally, Mr. Fredricks stated that students should find something they’re passionate about and pursue it with vigor and determination. “Life isn’t always a straight path, but if you stay hungry and maintain a positive mindset, you’ll create opportunities and maybe some luck for yourself,” he said.
