For Mr. Matt Parets, teaching isn’t just about the hours spent in the classroom—it’s about being there when a student’s curiosity sparks, no matter the time or place. That’s exactly what happened one day when 6th grader Carter Bushner approached him with a simple question about a 3D model. “Can we print that?”
Without hesitation, Mr. Parets shrugged and smiled. “Sure.”
The 3D printers were available, and Mr. Parets saw an opportunity. He set up the print, and what could have been a one-off moment of learning became something more. Carter, fascinated by what the printers could do, started coming by regularly, eager to learn and create. Each time, Mr. Parets welcomes him into the lab. If the printers are free, they dive into the next project, exploring models and designs.
“He usually has ideas,” Mr. Parets said, “something he wants to look for, and we go see if we can hunt it down.” It was clear that for Carter, learning wasn’t confined to class hours or assignments; it was a passion, and Mr. Parets was more than willing to step in.
“This is the kind of teacher Mr. Parets is,” said Mr. Troy Urquhart, Dean of the Middle School, “the kind who leaves his door open.”
“If I’m not teaching, students are welcome to come in at any time,” Mr. Parets added. Even when he’s in the middle of a class, he makes space for those quiet, curious minds who want to sit in the back and work on their own projects. To him, the labs and the equipment are meant for one thing: the students.
During his 17 years at Montverde Academy, Mr. Parets has seen countless students come and go, but what remains constant is his unwavering commitment to their growth. He knows that inspiration often happens in the in-between moments—during lunch breaks, after school, or when a student like Carter comes in with an idea. And for Mr. Parets, those moments are what teaching is all about.
In helping Carter explore 3D modeling, Mr. Parets is doing more than teaching a skill; he’s showing him that learning has no limits, that curiosity deserves to be nurtured, and that there’s always room for a student to grow when there’s a teacher who cares enough to say, “Sure, let’s do it.”
