< PreviousMany Auburn alumni teachers are bucking the state and national trend that declares as many as 70% of teachers are said to have considered leaving their jobs in recent years. Although the teacher shortage is not isolated to a specific region, these Col- lege of Education alumni offer their own distinctly Auburn responses to “why” they have stayed. Nick Wilson ‘18 Nick Wilson could be making a lot more money, with a lot less stress, work- ing a lot fewer hours, but he’s not leaving the teaching profession any time soon. “This is the best job in the world,” said the 2018 social science education grad- uate. “But even still, you have to know your ‘why.’ I started my teaching career with a desire to give back — to my com- munity and my high school that gave me so much. But after I got into this I real- ized, that’s not enough to stay in it.” For Wilson, the “why” is not compli- cated. A high school coach and career preparation teacher in Ashville, Alabama, Wilson uses every opportunity to stay connected with his students — his “why.” “I initially started developing relation- ships with my students as part of a peda- gogical approach,” he said. “But it quickly evolved into my entire focus. I care about these students, and the fact that I can have positive relationships with them — see them at church, talk with them after practice, know what’s going on in their lives outside of school — just makes my job as a teacher that much easier.” Megan Cook ’13 Megan Cook discovered her passion for the Spanish language and culture in 2006 in Lima, Peru. The then 16-year- old’s mission trip to South America pro- pelled her into a decades-long journey to share her love of other languages and cul- tures with future generations of students. “When I started at Auburn, I would have never believed anyone had they told me I would become a middle school Spanish teacher and department chair of world languages,” she said. Now, in her ninth year of teaching, Cook has seen the highs and lows of the profession. “Anytime I’m frustrated, or I see the salary of another job that I’m potential- ly qualified for, I remind myself that the grass won’t be greener and that those opportunities can’t compete with the time I get with students in the class- room,” she said. It’s the purpose she finds in building relationships with students that over- comes every negative and challenge. “I can’t imagine another job that is as fun, exciting, entertaining or rewarding. And that’s what keeps me in it. I can’t imagine giving this up.” DeAngelo Johnson ’20 Beginning a teaching career in the midst of a pandemic was not the plan when he transferred to Auburn as an ele- mentary education major. But that’s the reality DeAngelo Johnson faced when he graduated in December 2020. “The kids were just happy to have a teacher,” he said. “But it gave me an oppor- tunity to jump in and provide structure.” Bridging gaps and covering needs, Johnson has moved to several different classrooms in Hunts- ville, Alabama, during the past few years. He’s now in cyberse- curity — a field he had no previous experi- ence in but one that has quickly become one of his strengths. He’s aware of the challenges in his cho- sen profession and the complaints of fellow educators. The lesson he touts the most is to remember his “why.” “Kids know when their teachers are unhappy or don’t want to be there,” he said. “I don’t want that. I tell my students that I didn’t choose this because I hate kids. I love kids. I want to be here for them however I can.” These alumni teachers have more in common than a love of their alma mater. They have supportive administrations, a clearly defined purpose and a commit- ment to building relationships with their students. They’re thriving because they know their “why.” Read more about these alumni in the latest edition of the Auburn Alumni As- sociation magazine. AUBURN ALUMNI TEACHERS EMBRACE THEIR ‘WHY’ BY SHERYL CALDWELL 50 UNIVERSITY NEWS AUBURNTIGERS.COM Once DeAngelo Johnson came to Au- burn to study elementary education, he knew he wanted to give back and teach in his home state of Alabama. Assistant Clinical Professor Martina McGhee is one of several faculty members in Auburn’s College of Education inspiring the next generation of educators.CardiacandVascularAwards from EastAlabamaMedicalCenteristheONLYhospital inAlabamatobeamongthetop5% ofhospitalsnationwideforcardiacsurgery! 2023Women'sChoiceAwardsBestHospitalsfor CancerCare,Orthopedics,andObstetrics Congratulationstoourstaff forearningtheseprestigiousawards! ServingOpelika,Auburn,Valleyandan11-countycoveragearea52 MEET THE COACHES: AUBURN WIDE RECEIVERS COACH MARCUS DAVIS Ten years after arriving at Auburn as a freshman, Marcus Da- vis returned, determined to help the next generation of Tigers win championships. Seven seasons removed from his playing days, Davis be- lieves his status as one of the SEC’s youngest position coaches positions him to relate to the receivers he leads. “It’s definitely a positive,” Davis said. “I just was in that seat. That’s been extremely helpful for me in building relationships. Building that bridge for them to understand that if you do the little things right, good things can happen for you.” A receiver and return specialist from 2013-16, Davis took the fast track back to Auburn. After captaining the 2016 Tigers, he earned his master’s de- gree and served in support staff roles for two seasons on the Plains before working as a graduate assistant at Florida State in 2020. Success at his first assistant coaching assignment at Hawaii in 2021 led to a job at Georgia Southern in 2022, and the op- portunity to come home to Auburn when Hugh Freeze hired Davis in December. “It’s a blessing to be here,” Davis said. “Once you know the foundation of a program, it’s easier to do exactly what you need to do because the expectations are clear cut. You know what it takes to win here. “It’s an honor to be back, a privilege to serve these young dudes I get to lead and do it the right way for them.” Davis credits his faith for the opportunity to return to his alma mater so early in his coaching career. “I thank the good Lord,” Davis said. “I always ask Him to or- der my steps, open the doors that need to be opened and close the doors that need to be closed. He opened this one.” One of three Auburn football lettermen on Hugh Freeze’s coaching staff, Davis joins secondary coach Zac Etheridge and associate head coach Carnell Williams as former Tigers who won SEC championships as Tiger student-athletes. “That’s the coolest part for me personally,” Davis said. “We all love Auburn. We all know what it truly is to be an Auburn man. We all believe in work, hard work. We want to create that for the next generation, the guys we get to mentor.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Davis outlined the identity he wants Auburn’s receivers to display. “Tough, a brotherhood and together,” he said. “When you think of Auburn, we’re a blue-collar football program. Tough is the first thing. Everything else follows. If we can be tough and together, we’re going to be all right.” Davis primarily recruits part of south Georgia, Bald- win County in Alabama and his old South Florida stomping grounds of Palm Beach County and Broward County. “Some really good football in those areas,” he said. “That’s back at home for me. Looking to enhance some of the relation- ships I already have and build more with other people.” Thirty years ago, the famed Dillard Pipeline from a high school in Fort Lauderdale to Auburn brought James Bostic, Frank Sanders, Otis Mounds and an undefeated season to the Plains. The pipeline also produced Auburn standouts Bri- an Robinson, Stanley McClover, Pat Sims and 2010 national champion Antoine Carter. “That’s something we’re trying to continue to build,” Davis said. “When you had a few South Florida guys on those Auburn teams, you were really good. We understand that as well. “It has to be the right fit, guys who want to be at Auburn who are Auburn-type guys. We’re doing our due diligence with that.” The message hits the mark because the messengers – from the head coach to the precocious receivers coach – are au- thentic. “It’s the truth,” he said. “That’s the state of the program. That’s where we are. That’s who we have as a leader. You’ve got great people under Coach Freeze who are following the same thing. It really is a great time to be at Auburn. It’s going to take the right people to want to be a part of that. “My message is: right now it is the time to be at Auburn. You have a bunch of people in this building who love Auburn and want to do right by it. They could be a part of history and change the trajectory of what Auburn football looks like.” Marcus and his wife, Amberly, are expecting their second daughter in October, a baby sister for 1-year-old Milah Patrice, making the Davises an Auburn family of four. Without fanfare, the youngest member of Auburn’s coach- ing staff makes his mark on the program he so highly regards. “Somebody who loves Auburn and would do anything for Auburn,” Davis said. “It’s about work, hard work, and truly be- lieving in that, and trying to spread that throughout the Au- burn football program.” MARCUS DAVIS BY JEFF SHEARER AUBURNTIGERS.COM MEET THE COACHES: WIDE RECEIVERS COACHDINE IN // DELIVERY // CURBSIDE // CATERING Opelika 2664 Enterprise Drive, Opelika, AL 36801 GO TIGERS!54 2023 STADIUM MAP 2023 STADIUM MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM SOUTH CLUB BROADWAY CLUB NORTH CLUB 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 14 14 13 151617181920 383940414243 3744 44 45 46 46 36 37 35 35 21 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 100 99 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 AUBURN VISITOR 23 23 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8U 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 20 21 BILL & CONNIE NEVILLE LOBBY 0 EXIT GATE STUDENT GATE STUDENT GATE EAST UPPER DECK ACCESS ONLY SOUTH SERVICE GATE FOOTBALL RECRUITING SOUTH DONAHUE DRIVE HEISMAN DRIVE HD VIDEOBOARD NEVILLE ARENA MIKE & JANE McCARTNEY BRICK PLAZA TICKET OFFICE SALES & PICK-UP GAMEDAY TRANSIT & FANFEST (NS PASS) NORTH STADIUM LOT VISITOR TICKET SALES HARBERT FAMILY RECRUITING CENTER AUBURN PLAYER GUEST EXIT GATEVISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM SUITE TICKET PICK-UP STUDENT GATE SOUTH NORTH WEST EAST BROADWAY CLUB & MEDIA CREDENTIALS TIGER WALK CLUB ENTRANCE HIGH SCHOOL COACHES 11 10 TIGERWALK TICKET SALES TICKET SALES BROADWAY CLUB ONLY HRC ONLY ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP 1U VISITING PLAYER GUEST & VISITING FAN TICKET PICK-UP ADA SHUTTLE PICKUP NORTH SERVICE GATE OLYMPIC SPORT RECRUITING Entry GateElevator First Aid Tiger Babies LEGEND Charging Station Student Section Seating bowl closed to non-students Team Shop Medical Bag Entry Special Access Statues Guest Services ADA Shuttle56 2023 AUBURN PARKING MAP 2023 AUBURN PARKING MAP AUBURNTIGERS.COM2023 AUBURN PARKING MAP LEGEND 57 2023 AUBURN PARKING LEGEND AUBURNTIGERS.COM© 2022 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. 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