In total, Conway Springs High School welcomed four new teachers this year, Andrew Gower being one of them. This year, Gower teaches Personal Finance, Computer Technology, and Business Essentials. Gower said he is a “non-traditional teacher,” meaning he did not initially plan on being a teacher.
Gower graduated from Washburn University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and double majors in finance and management. He then went on to get his master’s degree in business education from Baker University.
“[I decided to start teaching because] in my previous job I felt like I didn’t have a purpose in it, and I did not enjoy what I was doing,” Gower said.
Gower’s first teaching job was teaching math at Royal Valley Middle School. Since then he has taught at Mission Family High School, Holy Family Catholic School, and Ellinwood High School.
“The impact that teachers have had in my life leading up to me being an adult led to me wanting to give back,” Gower said.
Gower said he has some goals he would like to pursue.
“[I would like to] increase the business classes that are offered because they are kind of limited, in my opinion,” he said.
Gower would also like to start an FBLA program. FBLA stands for Future Business Leaders of America.
“It would allow more opportunities to network, which was a skill I lacked after graduating high school,” Gower said. “It also allows you to compete, while utilizing the skills we have learned in class.”
