REXBURG — At a time in life when it seems that all students want to do is graduate and move on from the classroom, there are those select few who choose to remain in the classroom, or rather, in front of the classroom. Benjamin Pacini, a faculty member in BYU-Idaho’s Elementary, Early, and Special Education Department, is one of those people.
“I think it was like in 8th grade or something,” Pacini said. “I remember I had a teacher that I did not care for, and so the only way that I could survive the class was, I would sit in the back and imagine if I was the teacher, I would do this way better. And that was probably arrogant and cocky, but it got me through to wanting to teach really badly because I thought it was really fun. Teaching is one of the most compelling, it's one of the only things that takes up my full brain.”
These types of moments kept popping up for Pacini. In college, as he was walking down the hall, he saw a poster that made him stop. It read something to the effect of, “Less than 50% of people in poverty will graduate from high school this year.” It was at that point that he realized he could make a difference. He could work to build Zion in his own sphere of influence.
With that impression and desire, Pacini put his trust in God.
“I have said before that I am grateful that my teaching career has made me a better disciple. It has made me look at other human beings in a completely different way,” Pacini said.
When asked what advice he would give to students considering a career in the education field, Pacini referenced a talk by President Boyd K. Packer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the talk, President Packer told the story of a train with a beam of light that could only see 50 feet ahead at a time. When questioned, the conductor would answer that although he could only see 50 feet in front of the train at a time, once he moved those 50 feet, more of the track would be illuminated. So, it is with big decisions in life, Pacini said.
“I think sometimes people think that they have to make a full decision right from the get-go,” Pacini said. “Come and try one of my classes and see if it's interesting to you. In other schools of education, they will talk about how education is a human right and education is good for society, and all of those things are true. But at BYU-Idaho, it's a spiritual endeavor. Take the opportunity to walk down that path a little bit and see if the light keeps growing.”
It is widely known that schools are vigorously searching for teachers. What people may not know, Pacini said, is that you do not need a bachelor’s degree to become a substitute teacher. In fact, many districts will hire students fresh out of high school.
“I had a friend who graduated from high school with some college credits,” Pacini said. “He graduated, and then the next fall, he was back as a substitute teacher.”
According to Pacini, a person will never know if it is for them until they try it for themselves.