Spotlight on James Bettin
James Bettin,
Business/
Mathematics Teacher
James Bettin is in his first year of teaching at Clearbrook-Gonvick High School.Mr. Bettin is also the Yearbook Advisor, Student Council Co-Advisor, and the CG Bears Sound Man. He grew up on a farm in Nebish, but moved to Blackduck during 3rd grade with his parents, Junior and Lori, and brother, Jason. He currently lives in Bemidji. He is a 2010 graduate from Blackduck High School and a 2015 graduate from Bemidji State University in Math Education.
Now for the questions…..
Why did you choose to be a teacher? My family has a history of teachers. My grandpa David was a teacher in Red Lake for 33 years. He is a big reason why I am now a teacher. I always wanted to be like him. My uncle is also an industrial technology teacher at an academy in China. He has taught in Taiwan, Sweden, Portugal as well.
What did you do before coming to Clearbrook-Gonvick? I worked for Moore Family Movie Theatres for 6 years during high school and college. I spent summers also working at a resort. I have now been at Timberline Sports in Blackduck for over 3 years. I plan on working there through the summer months.
What is the best part of your job at Clearbrook-Gonvick? Knowing all of the students from all of the different grades. It is awesome having all of the students saying hi to you or just chatting between classes and before and after school. Connecting with students based on interest and personality is way easier in a small community.
What is the biggest challenge of your job? Being responsible for the yearbook! I am lucky to have great returning yearbook seniors, Rachel, Sam, and Madi. I also have a solid group of first timers. It is a big thing to accomplish and couldn't be done without their help. I continue to learn in that class each day. I wish I knew in October what I know now. It would make the whole process much easier.
If you could have any job in the world - what would it be? Why? I would be a DNR officer because I enjoy being outdoors. You would have an ability to communicate with community members much like teaching. The only problem is that they typically don’t enjoy seeing you with the DNR profession. I would also like to be a small farmer. I took an interest in that being that I grew up on a farm. It is tough to start out and make a living with a small scale farm. That is part of the reason I chose not to pursue that.
What do you do when you are not at school teaching? You will find me somewhere outside. I will either be hunting or fishing. I enjoy riding my fourwheeler and tractors around. Finding time to spend with my family especially my nieces, Joscie, Jaylyn, and Jade, is important.
What are your favorite aspects of the Clearbrook-Gonvick community? This community has that welcoming feeling to it. I have only been apart of it for about a year but based on some of the relationship it feels like I have been around for years.
The conversations I can have with parents and community members at sporting events is really awesome.
Any other favorites you would like to share? The staff here has helped me with so much. Being the new guy typically should be tough, but everyone is so willing to answer any questions I have. That makes a world of difference when you have no idea how to handle certain things.
And now a word or two about Mr. Bettin from the students…
Why do you think Mr. Bettin decided to become a teacher? "I think Mr. Bettin became a teacher because he likes kids. When he was student teaching I think we made him like teaching more." "I think Mr. Bettin decided to become a teacher because he has a positive personality and loves teaching and helping others learn." "He likes being around people and he has the patience and kindness for it." "He’s a really good people person so it was natural" "He comes from a long line of teachers like him" "When he was a student teacher he liked our school a lot so he decided to teach here" "He wants to help other people"
What do you think Mr. Bettin does when he is not teaching here at school?
"I think when Mr. Bettin isn’t teaching he orders pizza from Daroos and eats with Mr. C. and then goes fishing and plays volleyball at Blackduck." "Mr. Bettin DJ’s with his company at other occasions and helps at community activities." "DJ and spend time with his family." "Plays volleyball and watches the bachelor with his mom" "He works at a gas station" "Hunting and fishing" "Follows Mr. C around"
What do you think Mr. Bettin was like in High School? "I think Mr. Bettin was a cooler kid in high school because he’s funny and with those dimples he gets the girls." "I think Mr. Bettin was a student who loved to learn and always had a lot of school spirit…a lot." "The kid that everyone liked." "He was a ladies’ man" "Funny and charismatic" "Probably the same but clean shaven and his favorite pastime was walking cats" "Easy going with a ton of friends"
What is one great thing about Mr. Bettin? "One great thing about Mr. Bettin is that he smiles a lot. His dimples are contagious." "He is always willing to help students with work." "He always has a positive attitude. Huge smile." "He is a good teacher" "He’s cool" "His young and humorous spirit" "He cares about his job and his students and you can he enjoys what he does"
If Mr. Bettin did not work here at school, what job do you think he would have? Why? "A gas station because he has experience at one" "A sports announcer because he has the voice that belongs on the microphone" "DJ with digital Jake because it’d be a sweet job and he’s good at it" "If Mr. Bettin was not here at Clearbrook-Gonvick I think he’d be working at the store he tells us he used to work at all the time and still does sometimes." "He would be a baseball coach" "He would help DJ with his company because he likes meeting new people and making them smile." "Own a DJ company."
If Mr. Bettin were an NCAA mascot, which one would he be? WHY? "He would be a Kansas Jayhawk because that is one of his favorite teams" "Whatever mascot is always in the student section at games" "Beaver" "He would be a BSU beaver because that is the college he went too" "Mr. Bettin would be the BSU Beavers mascot because he went to college there." "Duke Blue Devil because then he can be crazy and loud." "Duke Blue Devils-because he’s loud and crazy."
What is one thing Mr. Bettin ALWAYS says? "Stop taking pictures" "Hoo Beast" "Try it out" "Oh ‘dis guy" "Just do it." "Hoo ‘dats nice." "Oh, jeez."