Sean Connor

Sean Connor came to Towson University after several career changes. He served his country as a Marine, worked as a corporate investigator, and then assisted his wife in founding a small assisted living center.

He now teaches 8th grade social studies at Mt. Airy Middle School in Carroll County, Md. A self-described “history geek,” Connor says he always remembers his own middle school social studies teacher, David Saltzman, and the impact he had on his life. Connor explains he was going through a difficult time, and his teacher inspired his love of history, but also made school a safe space for him. “I wanted to honor his memory because of what he did for me.”

Connor says he chose Towson University because of its excellent reputation for education programs. His own experiences at Towson have shaped how he engages with his middle school students.

“At Towson, I learned how to engage and capture the attention of students and deliver content effectively. It’s a joy when that happens. Teachers make a difference and have the opportunity to affect change, to make schools better. Towson gave me the opportunity to learn how to do that.”

He also appreciates the comprehensive training that helps future teachers understand the variety of student populations they may encounter. “Learning about special education and reading deficiencies paid off in helping me meet the different needs of students in my classroom.”

Connor says that faculty mentors at Towson and teacher mentors at internship locations were an important part of his training. In addition, those relationships helped him learn how to connect with his own students.

“It’s important for teachers and students to have relationships built on trust.”