Mr. Josh has been a site supervisor for After School at Heritage Elementary in Waunakee as well as site supervisor for summer day camps. Mr. Josh is known for his charismatic and energetic presence within program. His ability to make connections with his students and their families is an essential part of program. Mr. Josh is currently working toward his degree in teaching history for middle and high school students. He is also leading Theater Immersion Camp next week!
Q1: When did you start working with Wisconsin Youth Company and what has been your favorite memory so far?
I started working with Wisconsin Youth company right after I moved to Madison from my home state of Illinois in February 2018. I have a lot of great memories of working with kids at After School and summer camp, but my favorite has to be from the Theatre Immersion Camp I’ve been lucky enough to direct during summers. Seeing a group of kids I’ve come to work so closely with for weeks put together a show, work together, and deal with any issues that arise like naturals, it really makes me feel great. I also love when they insisted after the show was over that they dump a water jug on my head like I was a football coach post game.
Q2: What is the most important thing you learned as a child that still applies today?
You will not get along with everyone you meet in life, but every single person you meet is deserving of respect and compassion.
Q3: Who was a mentor you looked up to when you were younger? Why did you look up to them?
My 5th grade teacher Mrs. Roman was absolutely my favorite teacher from early in my life. She had such compassion for the kids she had in class. She taught me how to be a better friend, and why being a perfectionist was a bad road to go down. She also had a rule that every year she would teach every child in her class how to play chess and how to knit, saying these were two things she believed everyone should know. That kind of shows her approach to being a teacher; she taught kids how to be well rounded human beings. I hope that I can do even half as much in my work with kids.
Q4: What is your favorite part about working with kids?
I will basically never be bored working with children. They have such boundless creativity. I absolutely could never guess what the next day working with kids will be, because they always have something new to explore, try, and talk about.
Say “hi” to Mr. Josh next time you see him!
