Meet New 9-12 Teacher at Visions Mr. Pester!
posted August 28, 2025
William Pester joins us this year to teach grades 9-12 at Visions! Mr. Pester has been teaching for fourteen years, and we are so excited to have him on our team! We asked him some questions so you could get to know him a bit before the school year begins.
Why did you want to teach at Cardinal?
I am really excited for the opportunity to instruct and support students in an alternative learning environment, to challenge traditional practices, and to be creative in serving the diverse needs of the students as they pursue their own ideas of success and strive for their goals in life.
What do you like about teaching several subjects and grade levels?
I'm certified to teach several subjects at the secondary level and find that moving from grade level to grade level and subject to subject can be challenging, but serving the students' needs on this alternative pathway to high school graduation is incredibly rewarding.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
Summers! Just kidding, although I do enjoy the break to spend time with my family and to recharge my batteries, it's not my favorite part of teaching. My favorite part is teaching a student or students that hate a subject or concept or a topic that they'll never get, it's too hard! Until one day, when the work pays off, the ideas make more sense, the applications are easier, and in spite of their initial dislike or inability, they learn something they didn't know was possible. Seeing their perseverance and grit be rewarded and knowing I played a part in encouraging, challenging, and teaching them is my favorite part of being a teacher.
What is your ultimate goal as a teacher?
One day, many, many years from now I'd like to retire after a long and successful career as a teacher and maybe a short stint in administration where my many students have found success in the work force and career fields of their choosing, that many have went on to college and studied what they wanted and maybe earned even higher degrees. However, my ultimate goal is to graduate every single student that walks through the doors or to progress towards graduation if they transfer and for them to lead happy, healthy, and successful lives. Hopefully they do this having learned something, just one thing from myself that helped them along the way; such as how to tie a double-knot, to correctly apply the pythagorean theorem, or that its okay to fail but its not okay to quit on yourself!
What do you hope students take away from your class this year?
Resilience, determination, and grit are skills that will ensure success in every capacity of your life and if you can master these skills in your education, there is nothing you can't learn. Furthermore, if you apply these skills in any aspect of your life there is nothing you can't do. My favorite quote: "Hard work beats talent every time when talent doesn't work hard!"
Fun Facts/Hobbies:
I am the father of 3 amazing kids: Willa (12), Cason (10), and Lucy (8), and they're the best thing to ever happen in my life! I can talk about them all day, so if you don't have 24 hours to spare, best not to ask about them!
