When the opportunity to teach at North Kingstown came up, Mr. Michael Kropman chose to begin teaching here since it is quite the hike to Burrillville every day, and North Kingstown is significantly closer to his home, especially since Kropman and his wife are raising a young child. “My daughter is going into kindergarten next year, so I needed to move a little bit closer for her.”

Kropman’s favorite part about teaching is how he has the ability to make connections with the students, and seeing the hard work pay off that they put in. He also appreciates how everybody in the math department has been incredibly helpful to him, getting him adjusted in the building.

Of his teaching, Kropman said how he loves to teach in a very animated style which he believes his students approve of. Kropman said, “I try to bring a lot of energy and I think that helps keep students awake and engaged.” Past students he has had have told him they miss having his presence in the classroom.

Furthermore, Kropman has not always wanted to be a teacher. After college he did not plan on teaching and wanted to pursue a career in business with his math degree. However, “I started substitute teaching to make some extra money and I decided I really liked it. So I just kind of went right into teaching from there.” On the topic of teaching, Kropman’s favorite math subject to teach is pre-calculus. Kropman does not teach it at North Kingstown, but has taught AP pre-calculus at the Community College of Rhode Island for the past 12 years on the side.

Lastly, when not hanging out with family or working, Kropman enjoys working out, playing fantasy baseball, and Magic the Gathering, which is a “super nerdy” card game that Kropman plays with his friends. Overall, Kropman is having a great time starting off here at North Kingstown High School; he enjoys connecting with the students, and settling right along in the building.