For some high school and college graduates, getting out of the town or state in which they grew up is the primary goal. Others make the more comfortable decision to stay close to home. And for aspiring teachers, that may involve going back to their alma maters.
Zachary Gregory, an adjunct English professor at Sinclair, used his affiliations at the college as his academic and professional careers advanced.
Gregory entered Sinclair as a fine art major but found that it was not for him. He made the switch to English and proceeded to write for The Clarion, having a particular interest in sports topics.
Though instructing is currently his primary source of income, Gregory avoided the field of academia for a while.
He had a “knee jerk reaction” to teaching, saying that he worried about what he was going to do with his English degree. In a way, he felt as if the classroom was his only option.
An English professor at Wright State University connected Gregory with Jessica Graue, who, at the time, was working for the Xenia Daily Gazette. Gregory wrote for the publication as a staff writer for just over three years but resigned as his advanced studies required more of him.
Gregory has an undergraduate degree in technical writing and a post-graduate degree in rhetoric from Wright State. While working on the latter, his acquaintance with a professor once again aided him in obtaining a role.
In 2014, Gregory started as an adjunct at Wright State. Only three years later, he returned to Sinclair. Since then, he has taught at both institutions in the English departments.
This time, he said, has gone by very quickly, and not without its challenges.
Gregory, like others featured in this series, said that adjunct positions have “both good and bad aspects.”
He said that he likes the flexibility but doesn’t like the unpredictability that comes with being an adjunct. His income fluctuates with each semester – especially in the summers when he takes on a lighter course load.
Gregory also deals with internal conflict. He said he wonders whether he should have gone down a different path.
However, he had this to say about Sinclair: “While I do have anxieties coordinating my schedules at school, Sinclair actually does a really good job of making me feel like I’m part of the faculty. I think it’s easy to feel disconnected as an adjunct, but Sinclair does a good job of regularly communicating with us and helping us feel like we’re involved in the English department.”
In his English classes, Gregory said, there is a “unique tone.”
He said that he tries to be more casual and understanding with his students, especially knowing that they have a range of skill sets. However, he enjoys being able to go “beyond the basics” of developmental English courses, encouraging students to get creative.
As a teacher, he often notices a level of stress and pressure among his students. He said that they should know they “don’t have to have it figured out” but that “finding work that fulfills you” is important.
When he is not teaching or grading, Gregory enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, attending live music events, watching movies, and playing video games.
Thank you, Zach, for sharing a bit of your life with our readers, and for the time you have dedicated to Sinclair!
Carly Webster
Staff Writer