Joe Stewart, member of the English department, brings passion and determination to the halls of LPHS.
Stewart has been a teacher at LPHS for three years; he has also been subbing since 2011. He teaches Advanced Speech and Communication, English 11A and 11B, and American Literature.
“I consider myself to have the most interesting job in the world,” Stewart said.
What Stewart loves the most about American Literature is the breadth of material it encompasses, from the colonial poetry of Anne Bradstreet and the court transcripts of the Salem Witch Trials to the horror of Edgar Allan Poe to the science fiction of Ray Bradbury.
“American literature is an absolute treasure trove of incredible works, and perhaps the most fascinating thing about it– for me, at least– is the opportunity to explore the various themes and concepts that continually unite these authors in a remarkable, specifically American experience,” Stewart said.
Last semester he read a book called Fahrenheit 451. He only read it for one semester but it was one of his favorite books to read to his class. His most inspiring author is Roald Dahl, who ironically is not English. Some of Stewart's most favorite authors include Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Flannery O’Connor, and Cormac McCarthy. Stewart interestingly shares a birthday with Edgar Allen Poe.
“I have always loved learning because I love helping other people learn. It’s really cool that I have the opportunity to earn a living by helping other people learn,” Stewart said.
Part of the reason that Stewart decided to pursue a teaching career at LPHS is because it felt like coming home. He was Slicer and was fortunate enough to belong to a school that still employs several of his former teachers. Stewart is also lucky to teach alongside several of his own classmates. Mrs. Hunter, the now-retired former head of the English Department, was one of Stewart's favorite teachers in high school who not only inspired him to teach but also served as a reference on his employment application at the high school.
Stewart had to take the Praxis test to prove he knew enough to be a teacher. He went to Saint Joseph for undergraduate, and he also went to Seton Hall University for his master's degree.
Stewart is also a Building Representative for LPHS in the LaPorte Federation of Teachers, the LPCSC teachers’ union. He just finished his second year and he enjoys it very much.
Stewart thinks that an employee union is very important for communication between employees and the company that employs them and is proud to work for a corporation that generally enjoys an excellent relationship with the teachers’ union. He believes that there is strength in numbers and that the LFT exemplifies that!
Outside of school, Stewart has several hobbies: He is a semi-professional musician and serves on the administrative boards of a local music club as well as an annual music and worship retreat; He is very active in his church, First United Methodist of Michigan City; He is a collector of vintage Waterford crystal; He is also currently restoring his 1914 American Victorian home in Michigan City.
He has three wonderful cats named Lumpy Space Princess, Marceline the Vampire Queen, and Peppermint Butler; He also has a fantastic nephew named Silas and beautiful twin nieces named Savannah and Scarlett.
Mr. Stewart brings joy to the classroom and to the halls all around LPHS.