Melissa Rizzo, Reporter
@mrizzo_courant
Most high school students stress over trying to figure out their future career path, constantly filling out personality quizzes, and attempting new hobbies to broaden their horizons. Once having reached adulthood, however, the unpredictability of life often leads people to a profession that would have seemed unimaginable to their high school selves.
Biology and Geo-Physical Science teacher, Terrance Ditimi attended UCONN, where he was a member of the basketball team and explored his passion for science. “I decided to major in pre-kinesiology to become a Physiotherapist, while also playing on the basketball team,” said Mr. Ditimi
Due to the heavy workload brought on by the pre-kinesiology major, and basketball’s demanding schedule, Mr. Ditimi realized he couldn’t do both. “I switched to a biology major which provided me with a lot more avenues, including a career in Physiotherapy that I still intended on pursuing.”
However, when Mr. Ditimi gained more exposure to Physiotherapy, he knew it wasn’t a right fit for him. “I went to a practice to shadow a Physiotherapist and I didn’t find myself making a connection with the patients; spending thirty minutes at a time with a person felt impersonal. It didn’t feel like I was making a difference,” he said.
As a result, Mr. Ditimi shifted his career and became a basketball coach. “My college experience at UCONN made me love basketball a little bit more because I had to put a lot of work into it,” said Mr. Ditimi.
Landing a job here as a Freshman Basketball Coach, Mr. Ditimi leads his team with a passion for both the game and work ethic. “Because of how hard I had to work when playing basketball in college, as a coach, I gravitate towards kids who don’t run from a challenge. I also push kids who I know are not giving their best effort because the only way to maximize your potential as an athlete is to give it your all.”
While coaching, Mr. Ditmi discovered a passion for working with kids. “I have made real connections with my players and formed strong relationships that I still have to this day. It’s pretty amazing to see kids that I coached thriving as young adults and to know that at some point in time, regardless of how big or how small, I pushed them towards that,” he said. “This led me to want to become a teacher, which is not something I ever knew I wanted to be until I found myself in the school system,” Mr. Ditimi adds.
Currently coaching basketball and teaching both Biology and Geo-Physical Science, Mr. Ditimi has found fulfillment in his profession. “Teaching here I create connections with students. The interesting part is that no two classes and no two students are alike, so finding different ways to connect with each person is something that I enjoy.”
