By Alicia Desrochers
Staff Writer

New Teacher Robert Callahan smiles for the camera.

As a three-sport high school athlete, Robert Callahan, who everyone calls Bob, is a self-proclaimed “sports nut.” In high school, Callahan was a member of the football, hockey, and track teams. A strong supporter of all Boston teams and Florida State University teams, Callahan invites students just to visit him and talk sports.

Callahan is one of Westford Academy’s newest teachers for the 2009-2010 school year.

Callahan started his career in banking at the Enterprise Bank in Lowell. He found this field to be “very boring” and then decided that banking was not for him. He knew that he liked kids and that kids liked him, so he began a career in teaching. With teaching, he discovered a passion in helping kids.

Callahan taught in Lowell in a GED program with at-risk students for two years and liked it immensely. He said it was a lot of work and challenges to work with inner city kids, but it was worth it.

He has started his first year at Westford Academy and, besides getting lost in the halls a few times, said he is excited to be here. The staff and students are both friendly and welcoming.

Patricia Demins, chairperson of WA special education, who hired Callahan, finds him “a wonderful asset” to the school.

Demins said he “works well with all the students and the teachers.” In the short time he has been at Westford Academy, Callahan has grown close to his students, according to Demins.

Callahan described himself as “very approachable.” He would like every student in WA to know that he is available to talk to, whether he is the student’s teacher or not. He said he is there to discuss problems.

In high school, Callahan’s coaches helped him get into college. He turned this experience into advice for all WA students, saying, “Trust coaches and teachers to help you out.”

Callahan says he likes where he is right now and has no plans to be anywhere besides Westford Academy in the future.