Years ago, Neag School alumnus George Schott ’21 MA, a successful Stamford, Connecticut, financial services executive with a heart for community service, found himself nearing the end of a long career. Reflecting on his earlier experiences working with children at a summer camp and as a Sunday school teacher, Schott recalled his passion for nurturing young minds.
“I’ve always respected teachers,” Schott says. “And I’ve always enjoyed working with kids.”
As Schott delved deeper into community initiatives and spearheaded volunteer programs at work like the Reading Heroes for preschoolers and summer internships for high schoolers, he found immense satisfaction in empowering students to reach their full potential. Yet, it wasn’t until reading to third graders at Westover Elementary School in Stamford that Schott experienced an epiphany.
“It was a moment of clarity,” he recalls. “I knew then and there that this was what I wanted to do as a second act.”
With his 70th birthday looming, Schott made a pivotal decision to pursue his newfound calling. He explored different teaching programs and ultimately chose UConn’s Neag School of Education for its “stellar reputation and personalized approach.”
“It just felt right,” Schott explains. “I wanted to attend the best program I could find, and Neag stood out.”
Schott says he appreciated the warmth and support he received from the faculty and staff at the Neag School’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG): “Their genuine dedication to my success reaffirmed my decision to make a difference in children’s lives.”
It just felt right. I wanted to attend the best program I could find, and Neag stood out. — George Schott
His education journey was driven by practical considerations, a profound passion for teaching, and a deep connection to history. Schott recalls childhood memories of exploring the world of politics and stories of great leaders like the Roosevelts. He and his family were invited to meet Eleanor Roosevelt at her residence in New York based on a letter he wrote to her. That experience ignited his interest in history even more.
“I wanted to teach history,” Schott says. “It’s my passion.”
However, the practical considerations of limited openings led Schott in a different direction. Receiving guidance and encouragement from mentors at the TCPCG program, he ultimately decided to focus on special education. His says his decision was born out of a desire to “make a difference with students in an area of critical need.”
“At the time, I had no idea I had that ability, but was willing to embrace the opportunity,” he says, reflecting on his journey of self-discovery.
Now, completing his third year as a special education teacher at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering (AITE), an interdistrict magnet school in Stamford, Schott’s dedication to his students is evident. His face lights up as he speaks about the joys of helping them learn and grow.
“It’s about sharing life lessons in learning, teamwork, organization, and feelings,” Schott says.
He has plenty of lessons to share, having spent over four decades in the business world before finding his second career in the classroom. Throughout his extensive professional experience in the United States and Europe, Schott accumulated a wealth of knowledge about human behavior, group dynamics, and effective communication. He understands the power of patience, encouragement, and positivity in shaping young minds.
“What works is making people feel good about themselves, building them up, and encouraging them,” he says, drawing inspiration from a quote by Maya Angelou that adorns his classroom door.
When Stamford Public Schools recognized the need for a program serving students with autism, Schott saw an opportunity to put those words into action and make a tangible impact.
Base every decision on the student’s best interests and you will get it right. It’s about nurturing and guiding the next generation towards their fullest potential. — George Schott
Armed with his business acumen and innate understanding of human nature, Schott collaborated with fellow educators to develop the Arbor Program, which holistically focuses on the students’ academic, social, and emotional growth.
“We developed a program that combines executive functioning; academic planning; social and emotional skills; and college and career planning,” he says, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to special education.
Through his leadership and dedication, Schott helped foster a supportive environment where students could thrive, and educators could collaborate effectively.
“At AITE, we are one big community learning from each other,” he says. “Ultimately, I want my students to be able to be productive members of society, and AITE and the Arbor Program is where they can learn how to prepare to take their places.”
In Schott’s journey from business to the classroom, he says he found a new purpose shaping a promising future for a younger generation.
“This is why I love Neag,” he says. “The Neag School helped me transform from a marketer to an educator.”
For others considering a similar career change, Schott has some advice: make sure you love working with kids.
“Base every decision on the student’s best interests and you will get it right,” Schott says. “It’s about nurturing and guiding the next generation towards their fullest potential. Education faces critical shortages. We need more teachers who are passionate and dedicated.”
To learn more about UConn’s Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates, visit s.uconn.edu/teach.
