The class period after lunch is usually the time that feels the longest. After eating lunch, you’re tired, and after talking and laughing with your friends, you’re just ready to go home. 

For some students, this is not the case; it is actually the opposite.

In English Honors 10, a large jump from the simplicity of freshman English, students encounter tougher material and require much more assistance. The foundation of this class and students’ learning is Mr. Chad Lemons. 

Being new anywhere can be intimidating, scary, and nerve-wracking. Lemons stepped into this twice. This past year, he joined the Gibbons community as not only an English 10 Honors educator but also an AP Language educator. And the journey to his final destination, Gibbons was not something he always anticipated, but he is very grateful for. 

Background

Lemons was born and raised in San Diego County, Southern California. As Lemons grew up, he formed a strong passion for water polo.

“Water polo has been a big part of who I am,” said Lemons, reminiscing on his college water polo days at the University of the Pacific.

To Lemons, water polo was an outlet for him to get away from his busy life and a way to become a leader. He was a strong component of the team, expressing many qualities of leadership, compassion, and influence; these qualities Lemons would soon take to teaching. 

Originally an international relations major, Lemons spent a summer taking over a coaching job back in California. This is where he found his love for coaching, but also teaching English.

“I really got into coaching, it’s really exciting, and so I changed my major to English to pursue teaching and coaching,” said Lemons 

From Southern California to Raleigh, North Carolina 

From the West Coast to the East Coast, Lemons found his new home in Raleigh with his wife, who went to UNC. 

“We have lots of family here, so it was a great opportunity,” said Lemons.

Though it was a great distance from Lemons’ hometown, he found a permanent home surrounded by loved ones and new opportunities to grow in his profession of teaching and his love for water polo.

“It’s nice to be able to find your community that you know and have been a part of to reconnect,” Lemons said.

The Bigger Side to Teaching

Finding purpose is important for a human. It helps you find confidence, meaning, and love for a subject. Lemons found his purpose not only in teaching but also in changing lives.

“I get the chance to help people, and I think it can be inspiring,” said Lemons.

Through the many years of teaching, he has changed lives. 

“I’ve taught kids from Afghanistan that came from a really difficult environment when there’s war in their country,” Lemons said.

He was a rock not only for the students he had taught before, but also for the students he had just met this school year. 

“You can tell he really cares about his students; he tries to make sure everyone is engaged in my class,” said AP Language student Emi Schweitzer.

For Lemons, teaching isn’t just about pen on paper or the grades in the grade book; it’s also about relationships between students and the teacher.

The Destination of Gibbons 

Lemons began his journey teaching at East Chapel Hill High School. And while he enjoyed that deeply, Lemons and his wife had bigger plans, beginning their own craft beverage business.

“Those 10 years were a really fun, big part of our life,” said Lemons.

After ten years, Lemons found his final decision on Gibbons. 

“I’ve never had the opportunity to work at a private school, so it was kind of compelling for me to try something different than a public school,” said Lemons.

Gibbons was brand new to him, but he did go into this new place knowing a few familiar faces: Treve Lumsden and Amy Ernenwein.

“They thought so highly of this school, so I always kept that in the back of my mind,” said Lemons.

Here, Lemons has found an unchangeable community of fellow teachers but also a community of students.

“I’ve been really enjoying it. It’s been amazing, a really great faculty,  and I love the students,” Lemons said.

Here at Cardinal Gibbons, Lemons has found his purpose and his passion in changing lives through teaching. He plans to stay for as long as he can and continue to impact students and other educators daily.

Lemons said, “I’m not thinking about going anywhere.”