Have you ever wondered what teachers do with their free time? You might be surprised to discover what your teachers do when they’re not in the classroom. Here are some favorite interests or hobbies that teachers enjoy during their free time.
Toyin Oyemade
Besides teaching calculus, Toyin Oyemade enjoys going to concerts and listening to music. As a self-described “90s R&B girl,” she especially loves music from that era and can attend up to three or four concerts a year. For those hesitant about whether a concert ticket is worth the cost, Oyemade insists it absolutely is, explaining that simply being part of the crowd creates an entirely different experience.
“You have your favorite artists, and you listen to the album and it’s good and it’s fun, but when you’re in the crowd . . . it’s a different energy. It’s a vibe. It’s amazing,” Oyemade said.
Larry Anderson
Environmental science and biology teacher Larry Anderson, enjoys fly fishing and you know you’ll never catch him overfishing. His love for fishing began as a child, and he taught himself how to fly fish around when he was 24 years old. While it’s hard to make time during the busy school year, summer break usually allows him to take fishing trips. Anderson finds fly fishing as just a time to sit down and think.
“Fly fishing is very relaxing and almost meditative . . . It’s one of my favorite things to do, to kind of reflect on life,” Anderson said.
Peter Weber
Peter Weber, government and economics teacher and tennis coach, enjoys backpacking. During school breaks he takes shorter trips, and in the summer he usually heads to the Sierra Nevada for longer adventures. His typical trips involve trails spanning 40 to 50 miles, completed in four to five days. When backpacking, he describes it as a calm escape from the busyness of cities where you can fully immerse yourself in the natural world.
“The best places are the places you can’t drive to . . . they’re just really beautiful,” Weber said.
Casie James
English teacher Casie James enjoys staying active outdoors with friends, whether it’s swimming, playing soccer, horseback riding, or traveling. She’s always full of energy and wants to have fun just by sharing experiences with others whenever she has the time. For her, as long as she’s doing things with others that make them happy, she’s happy too. She expressed that these moments are more cherished than luxuries.
“We should collect experiences and not things. . . [as] those are more valuable than actual items. . . experiences where [me and others] had fun, enjoyed, and were outside, I put high value in that,” James said.
Dennis James
Social science teacher, Dennis James, finds joy in motorcycle riding, having been drawn to motorcycles ever since he was a kid. His riding time is usually limited to summers, weekends and the rare occasion when he takes a personal day or two. Riding on his motorcycle gives him so much freedom, everything else in the moment feels like it disappears leaving him in a calm feeling with his bike.
“You’re just more focused on [a bike]. . . there’s no distractions, there’s no messages, you’re just going. . . it’s just a way to cut the distractions [out] of your life,” James said.
Peter Smiley
Biology teacher Peter Smiley, has a love for mountain biking and often shares this hobby with his children. Although he did some riding as a kid, he’s been consistently mountain biking for the last five or six years. Even though mountain biking comes with its own challenges, Smiley enjoys it as a way to stay in shape and find mental clarity, as the trails provide a break from traffic and crowded spaces.
“You gotta focus the whole time on what you’re doing so you don’t fall, so you don’t have to worry about other things in your life. It’s a good getaway,” Smiley said.
Kevin Colwell
English and Literature, Film, and Media teacher Kevin Colwell has a passion for world travel, especially on solo adventures. He’s traveled to 22 countries so far and hopes to explore more destinations whenever his schedule permits, as he believes in making the most of his free time. Colwell shared how solo travel creates a unique feeling of anticipation, which is why he highly recommends the experience.
“It’s fun knowing you will never be with these people in this experience again, so you fully commit to the experience. Whereas when traveling with people [back home], it is easier to make excuses [and] be less in the moment,” Colwell said.
Spencer Fraker
U.S. history teacher Spencer Fraker loves traveling with his family and has a tradition of visiting Northern Minnesota every summer. He recommends European travel for anyone with the opportunity, due to both its rich historical relevance and the charm of its smaller towns. For him, the perfect trip is a perfect balance between relaxation and exploration.
“When you get to see and do new things and create new experiences while also being able to relax and enjoy time off, that to me is the perfect way to travel,” Fraker said.
Dan Cao
Chinese teacher Dan Cao expressed a love for reading when time allows. Cao explained that through her favorite books, “Gone With the Wind” and “论语” (The Analects), she often feels motivated and empowered by their messages. She enjoys reading alone in quiet places as she finds it extremely relaxing. She shared how reading books feels like you’re experiencing exactly what the characters feel. Her favorite quote is “tomorrow is another day” said by Scarlett O’hara in “Gone With the Wind”.
“Whenever I have a bad day, that [quote is] something [I find] really encouraging, like how tomorrow will just be a new day,” Cao said.
Freda Chan
Math teacher Mrs. Chan also enjoys reading, but finds movies to hold a stronger appeal as they let her fully immerse herself in the story’s every detail. She often rewatches classics like “The Sound of Music,” praising their great storylines, uplifting messages, and emotional close-ups. Among her favorites is “The Hobbit,” which she admires largely for its characters’ positive and inspiring spirit. For Mrs. Chan, it’s the small details that make movies so impactful.
“[Directors] should [direct cameras to] move closer, capture the emotions of the actors, and weave them into a story that flows seamlessly and powerfully,” Chan said.
