As a first year teacher, Adam Filo has already made a positive impact on the students and staff at Alliance High School, and not just the fun and unique outfits he wears on Filo Fit Fridays. This year, Filo was recognized as the 2024 Alliance City Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year!
Filo is a two-time graduate of the University of Mount Union having acquired a bachelor’s in history and a master’s in educational leadership. While completing his master’s program, he subbed as ACS, and when a position opened up in the history department at AHS, he jumped on the opportunity to officially begin his teaching career here.
“My first year was very busy, but it was a great year,” Filo said. “I am thankful for all the staff, students and community members I got to make connections with. I am excited for next year.”
Along with teaching, Filo served as the head boys tennis coach, assistant cross country coach and as the sophomore class advisor. All of his responsibilities came with learning how to best manage his time so he was effective as a teacher, coach and advisor.
“A challenge I faced this year was time management,” Filo said. “I had to budget my time more wisely. On top of that, I have amazing teachers around, like Aaron Long, who I was able to collaborate with.”
Getting involved in a variety of activities isn’t the only way Filo has made a name for himself. Since the start of the school year, he has surprised his students, and colleagues, with fun outfits on Fridays, now called Filo Fit Fridays. He’s even recruited other staff members to take part each week.
“I have always worn crazy outfits golfing, ever since I was like 12,” Filo said. “The Filo fit is a term that some students gave me when I was student teaching. I wore blue fire pants to school on Friday, and the rest is history. I wasn’t going to do it this year, but I did one Friday and the reaction was stunning. It got a lot of people excited and whispering about what I was wearing. If wearing pink pants to school on a Friday puts a smile on one student’s face who is having a bad day, then I consider that a success.”
Filo encourages all new teachers to just be themselves when starting their career. It may be difficult at times, but embrace the challenge and find a good support system of staff who you can lean on and go to for help.