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Teaching Life Lessons Inside And Outside The Classroom

photo by provided Helping his graduates find a passion and direction in life is part of what Larry Sabourin does every day.

photo by provided Larry Sabourin inspires his students in the gym and in the classroom.

Monday January 1, 2018

By Cookie Steponaitis

Larry Sabourin graduated from Vergennes Union High School in the 1990’s with a mission. He wanted to be a teacher and knew he had the makings to be an outstanding one. Sabourin felt he had experienced outstanding teachers and what made the connections real for him was they existed inside and outside the classroom. Teaching history at a school in Virginia with over 2,000 students, initially Sabourin felt it would be impossible to get to know the school community. “I’ve made it my mission to not only teach these seniors American Government and African American history,” explained Sabourin, “but to get to know them on a personal level and create an atmosphere of friendship and respect which is how to cross the gap.” The closeness and professionalism he grew up with in his Addison County educational experience results in Sabourin working hard to have the students see him as a mentor and learn who they are as individuals.
    Little did Sabourin know that a life changing decision outside of his school career would shape not only his health but provide a model of dedication and commitment that his students look up to and even emulate to follow. Getting ready for his upcoming wedding, Sabourin made a vow to get into shape and to look good for his fiancé and himself. “I had gained close to 90 lbs. living on my own when I moved to Virginia. I wasn’t used to have so many restaurants in such close proximity. Both my fiancé and I hired trainers to help us reach our goals,” shared Sabourin. “My trainer and I actually became great friends and he was my Best Man at my wedding.” After working for a year to prepare for the wedding, Sabourin was hooked on how it felt to push himself and entered the first inner competition. Finding the competition date as a way of holding himself accountable to be ready, Sabourin began a training regime that sparked interest and curiosity in his students.
    As a competitive body builder Sabourin experiences the constant challenge of improving and staying focused. At forty-one he often competes against men nearly half his age and not only holds his own, but often wins. Sharing stories and goal setting with his students, Sabourin became more than a history teacher to the hundreds that have already passed through his room. He became an example of how adults set goals, establish priorities, win some and lose some but measure each accomplishment as a move forward and worthy of celebration. When asked to share insight into this competitive world of body builders, Sabourin dispelled some stereotypes by sharing. “I think people would be surprised to know that these folks all work normal jobs. I’ve met doctors, teachers, directors at the Pentagon and a host in other careers. The stereotype that body builders are a community of meatheads couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most of us are not only receptive and willing to help each other reach fitness and health goals, but we share ideas, techniques and workouts together.”
Sabourin’s students are encouraged and some even work out with their teacher at the gym and many have asked questions about eating choices and how to build on basic workouts to reach goals. One of Sabourin’s current seniors Jordan Rice had this to add about their teacher.” I like how Mr. Sabourin incorporates his weight lifting side of his life into teaching. He relates to a lot of student athletes and understands how to help us balance a workload, manage time and to make our assignment important and not busy work. I know a lot of students feel he is understanding and good to work with. He is one of my favorite teachers.”
    Sabourin models successful behaviors that help propel his students toward their own goals in life in the classroom and the gym. “I hope they learn that they can do anything they want if they create a plan and set it in motion,” concluded Sabourin. In the classroom he challenges them to find connections and in his own life he lets them witness his personal journey to fitness and his ever-changing goals. Though Sabourin has called Virginia his home for quite a few years, he still relies on the root lessons about life learned here to inspire the next generation. Currently enrolled in his Master’s Degree program, Sabourin is moving forward with his goals to be his very best in the gym and classroom. A lesson for all generations is not when or how, but the reasons behind the journeys in life we take and asking whether we have the resolve to see them through. Happy New Year from the Valley Voice and may your New Year’s resolutions be ones that set your heart pounding with excitement and ones you can commit to see come to fruition

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