Special education teacher Dan Fulton works to make connections with his students every day, using patience, creativity and unwavering dedication to help them overcome challenges and succeed outside of high school.
Fulton started teaching at West Essex and coaching varsity football this school year, but he’s been a high-school educator for 16 years prior. He played football at Montclair State then moved to coach at Lock Haven University.
Fulton explained, after teaching history for a few years, he decided he would either become special education certified or become an administrator. He decided he loved being in the classroom, so he attended Rutgers for his certification in special education.
Fulton said he tries to build meaningful relationships with his students at the beginning of the year, in order to connect with each one and have a unique and special bond with them.
“The biggest thing is developing a rapport with them early on,” Fulton said. “I try to use to break down whatever walls that they may have and loosen them up so that they feel a little bit more comfortable in the class.”
Fulton’s love for being in the classroom is evident when speaking with him. His work with his special education students proves him to be a loyal and dependable teacher to his kids.
“I belong in the classroom,” Fulton said. “My goal is just to do well by the kids and do right by the kids every year.”
Along with his work in the classroom, Fulton also recently became the new head coach for the Football Knights. He is extremely dedicated to the team and devotes most of his time outside of teaching to the game.
Fulton acknowledges how the outside world has very high expectations of students and teachers at West Essex. Coming in from the outside, he said, he sees how well the teachers, students and administrators work together to create a positive learning environment. He wants to continue these ideas as he continues his work at West Essex.
“People that have come through… West Essex [is] thought of very highly from the outside world. And then getting here, it has come as advertised,” Fulton said. “The kids are fantastic. The teachers are great. The administration works well with us.”
Fulton said his teaching style is displayed the same on the field and in the classroom. He hopes that both his students and players will use their knowledge and work to succeed outside of high school. Along with helping kids around him, Fulton aspires to continue to leave a lasting impact on all of his students.