The 2014-2015 school year may be English teacher Matt Welches’s first year at Ben Davis, but he is far from new to the education field. Not only does he have nine years of experience under his belt, but he knew he wanted to become an educator since he was young. His dream of instructing children and teenagers developed thanks to his eighth grade social studies teacher.

“[He] made a tremendous difference in my life.  I just knew that I wanted to be like him,” Welches said.

Welches went on to make that dream come true, working at Lynhurst Seventh and Eighth Grade Center for five years before switching to Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School in Walton, Indiana. At his second position, he won the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award.

Despite his honored success at Lewis Cass, Welches eventually left his position due to budget cuts. However, he viewed it not as a setback, but as an opportunity.

“[Working at Lewis Cass] was a wonderful experience; however, I knew that I was missing something while I was up there, and I knew I could only find it in the MSD of Wayne Township,” Welches said.

After only a week of work, Welches noticed some admirable aspects of Ben Davis.

“The students are more diverse, and I think this is something that sets Ben Davis a part,” Welches said. “You have the opportunity to teach kids from all over the world.  It’s an amazing experience. I also love the fact that my students have so many opportunities to be involved here.”

With his new platform at a larger school, Welches is looking forward to another year in which he can shape students’ lives and continue to be just like his eighth grade social studies teacher.