Charlton majored in English. After university in the United States, he worked in financial services due to the need for a more stable career for his family. However, after his kids grew up, he decided to start a new chapter in his life through teaching. He began teaching overseas to gain experience and continue to explore the world with his wife.
“I taught English in Kuwait due to the necessity of the position but originally I wanted to teach Business and then in Lithuania I switched and taught economics and business management, but economics is definitely my favorite, economics is not a class that everyone always enjoys taking, however, the mix of topics provides diverse topics for students to find what they enjoy most,” Charlton said.
This is also a trait about economics that Charlton gravitates to as it mixes objective, analytical, subjective and theoretical thinking. After moving around and teaching overseas for four years, Charlton has learned how to adapt to new surroundings and embrace every experience that comes his way. Traveling and working around gave Charlton an appreciation for the small things in life.
“(The best part was) building the community there, in such a foreign place,” Charlton said. “We would have our favorite cafes and restaurants that we would walk to. Occasionally, we have to stop for a camel to pass (in Kuwait).”
There were traditions at Lithuanian schools which allowed Charlton to be connected to a new community and learn more about Lithuanian culture.
“The burning of the Morė is a traditional Lithuanian ritual to symbolize and hasten the arrival of spring,” Charlton said. “At my school, we took time out of class at the end of winter to celebrate.”
While Charlton has a degree in English and will always have a love of English and an interest in finance due to his past job, he found economics to be the perfect mixture of his favorite things, teaching and finance. Teaching allowed him to do everything he loves and opened a new experience to try something he has always been passionate about.
“I like the cycle of teaching, preparing, delivering and assessing, but I also really like being in the classroom with students every day,” Charlton said. “I enjoy economics, because it’s a mix.”
Charlton’s first year teaching in the United States means it is full of new traditions and changes between the American school system and foreign school systems. Some traditions are exclusive to the United States, but some are Trinity-specific, which is what Charlton is excited to learn more about.
“I understand that Trinity is a place with a lot of traditions, and so I’m looking forward to seeing those and experiencing those throughout the year,” Charlton said. “I’m really looking forward to my first home football game.”
Charlton embraces his new students and their thoughts, taking their feedback and methods of learning into account when planning his lessons. Charlton always tries to create the safest space possible for his students to express themselves.
While he tries to have open discussions about feedback, that might not be a comfortable conversation for everyone, but one of Charlton’s goals is to create a line of open communication.
A relationship with his students so that they can have conversations with him is what he strives for in his classroom. He finds new techniques to receive feedback each day, his favorite right now is exit tickets.
“I actually got some really good feedback on one of these (exit tickets),” Charlton said. “I implemented it already, but sometimes students might not feel safe (to contribute).”
As well as creating a safe space for his class, Charlton wants all students, whether new or already here at Trinity, to feel comfortable and support them in the best way that he can. He is always open to giving students advice not only for how to succeed in the class but in life.
“Develop study habits that are useful to you,” Charlton said. “Figure that out right away, and work with your teacher to do that. Because the way you as a student go through a class may not be the way another student can be successful going through that class, so reach out to your teacher. Choose that method and then stick with that.”
In every new school Charlton goes to, he aims to be focused on building positive relationships with students. Charlton is looking forward to adapting to Trinity’s different environment and embracing this new community.
“The exciting part is meeting the students, they’re just really interesting and I’m happy to get to know (them),” Charlton said. “They’re different from students I’ve taught in the past. I’m still learning what’s unique to the student body at Trinity versus what’s unique to teaching in a (foreign) school.”
