If you’ve taken APUSH at West Po, you probably know Mr. Daniel Baldwin, the teacher who somehow always finds a way to make history feel connected to real life. He’s been teaching at West Po since 2013, but his journey in teaching started way before that. He spent two years teaching English in Japan, three months teaching in Nepal, and worked for several years in experiential leadership programs before switching into public schools. His path has been anything but boring.
When asked why he became a teacher, Mr. Baldwin explained that it goes back to who he’s always been.
“I’ve always been a lifelong learner,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed sharing knowledge and inspiration with young people.”
That love of learning is something he brings into every class. A huge reason he enjoys West Po so much is the people.
“I love the students and the staff,” he said. “I have amazing coworkers, and I really appreciate the diversity of the West Potomac community.”
Since he also lives in the area, contributing to the school feels even more meaningful.
“It’s awesome to contribute to the overall well-being of the community,” he said.
Even though he’s taught every grade in high school, and has substituted for almost every level, he’s always been most drawn to history and government.
“I think it’s really important for students to understand the past in order to live and make choices in the present,” he said. Anyone who has sat through his lessons in APUSH knows he means it.
Like most educators, one of the biggest challenges he faced was during COVID.
“Teachers had to adapt to a completely new learning environment and find ways to communicate and connect with students,” he said.
Despite the chaos, he pushed through and continued building those connections, even through a screen.
His favorite teaching memory is one many at West Po still talk about, when civil rights icon John Lewis visited the school. Getting to witness such a meaningful moment alongside his students is something he still looks back on with pride.
Even at home, teaching finds its way into his life in a good way.
“My family often has historical and political discussions at the dinner table,” he said, laughing a little as he explained that the conversations never really stop.
Mr. Baldwin realized he wanted to become a public school teacher when he started thinking about his future.
“I wanted job security and time to grow a family,” he said.
He loved teaching abroad, but admitted, “It made it challenging to have a stable family life.” West Po became the perfect place to build both a career and a community he truly cares about.