In the quiet hallway of the first floor sat Daniel McSweeney, his arms crossed and a squinty smile across his face. Just a month ago, he had spent his first days in Albany after accepting his position as a resource teacher.
“I’m really happy that I ended up here. I had a great time in high school, and I think that’s why I really like teaching in a high school setting now.”
As a high school student, McSweeny was very active in sports and charity alike.
“I wasn’t a very good student in middle school. But being that I was on three different sports teams, I played lacrosse, I played football, and I wrestled, I had to keep my grades up. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to play. I also participated in Key Club.”
After high school, McSweeney attended Des Moines and Syracuse Universities. Originally, he had set out to be a lawyer and tried many business classes, but as he ended his studies, he realized his true passion.
“As a senior, I was in a volunteer program and in after-school programs, and I loved it. So when I was graduating, I decided, ‘Yeah, I’ll go teach!’ ”
That same enthusiasm carried him for nine years teaching at a top-notch school in New York City where he acted as an administrator. But his true passion still continued to urge him to do something different.
“I worked in a really fantastic school in Manhattan but I needed a change of pace.”
This endeavor then led him to Albany High, and so far, he’s loved every minute of it.
“It’s been wonderful. It’s been fantastic. The students seem really engaged and really want to make it their own community.”
Well, welcome to our little community, McSweeney.
