By Will Stark
You may have seen him in gym class, teaching the art of a good Frisbee throw, or perhaps in Health class, outlining the benefits of regular sunscreen application. Whether outside of class or inside, Mr. Townsend is always encouraging students to participate in healthy activities.
Growing up, Mr. Townsend wasn’t always planning to be a health teacher. “I wanted to go to arts college. That was my early dream,” he said. In England, he would often go on trips to nearby castles, including Hampton Court, where Henry VIII lived. This fostered an early interest in archaeology and an interest in history. Life across the pond also allowed for close access to West End Theater, which fostered a passion for musical theater. Mr. Townsend was able to see many original actors in his theater experiences at West End.
However, health was always a big part of Mr. Townsend’s childhood. Physical activity was an important part of his youth; he played soccer, track, and lots of rugby. Additionally, Mr. Townsend’s mother was a nurse who encouraged making healthy choices.
Mr. Townsend met his wife, who’s from the US, when she was working as a flight attendant. They got married, moving to the US in 1995. Mr. Townsend decided to go back to school to get his degree at Canisius University. In 2004, he began his teaching career right here at Williamsville East, teaching health and Phys. Ed. “It was a lot of work and reading,” he said, “but worth it.”
While not teaching health, Mr. Townsend is a coach for all three seasons: cross country in the fall, bowling in the winter, and modified track in the spring. Outside of school, Mr. Townsend still enjoys being active. He enjoys running triathlons, biking, hiking, and just being outside with his family. Mr. Townsend also enjoys traveling. He enjoys the depth and history of faraway places, his favorites including France and Spain. “I find it very relaxing,” he said. Additionally, Mr. Townsend loves to read, with World War II history books and athlete autobiographies being his favorites. He also enjoys exploring coffee shops in the area. There’s just something about reading a book with a regular coffee that’s special. In our area, the best so far, he reports, is “a Spot coffee on the Main St. and Harlem Rd. I love going there.”
Not always sure of the direction of his life, Mr. Townsend admits that, “I went off on many different tangents.” His occupation, as well as the course his future would take, was never certain. He came to a lot of subjects on his own, without prodding from schools or classes. Indeed, he still enjoys reading the textbooks of other subjects, just to explore.
For students who also feel uncertain about the direction life will take them, he encourages them to follow their passion. “Finding your interests, a career path, all of it takes time,” said Mr. Townsend. “If you’re going to be working a job for decades, don’t let it feel like a chore. If you enjoy it, it’s exciting.”
When asked about his favorite part of being a teacher, he remarked that, “I just enjoy the job. I like teaching. I like coming to work.” Making connections with students as they work hard and accomplish goals is what makes it worth it.
Mr. Townsend, both inside the classroom and out, is a champion for healthier choices. He continues to meaningfully contribute to Williamsville East—as a teacher, a colleague, and a coach. His mission, he states, is “to get at least one person to make a positive change; that in itself is an accomplishment.” It’s simple, consistent progress that is the most meaningful, and something we can all strive for here at East.