LATIN DOCTOREM: William Hunter is a foreign language department teacher at Clarke Central High School. Hunter teaches Latin and has a passion for Latin and other hobbies, such as athletics, music and literature. “I like running and fitness. I’ve done full marathons, half marathons, and everything in between,” Hunter said.
By LUCIA BERMUDEZ – Staff Writer
Clarke Central High School foreign language department teacher William Hunter serves as the school’s new Latin teacher, replacing Ellen Harris following her retirement.
Clarke Central High School foreign language department teacher William Hunter is the department’s newest addition following Ellen Harris’ retirement at the end of the 2013-14 school year. Hunter has been an educator for approximately 14 years and has taught at several previous schools, in addition to serving as the current Latin teacher at Cedar Shoals High School.
“It feels like being a student again because I actually look out for research and ideas for my students,” Hunter said.
Along with teaching Latin, Hunter serves an IB supervisor to his one mentee, sophomore Elisabeth Delamater.
“(IB) encourages students and teachers to look at things in a more universal context, and hopefully that will create more tolerance and appreciation for other people,” Hunter said.
Hunter is savvy for Latin quotes and sayings.
“I think anybody can learn facts, or I guess instead of learn, regurgitate. So anyone can regurgitate facts, but true learning is understanding the deeper meaning and there’s a latin phrase that I like. It’s ‘Non scholae sed vitae discimus.’ It means ‘We learn not for school but for life,’” Hunter said.
For the time that he has worked at CCHS, Hunter says that his favorite thing about the school is interacting with the students.
“(I like) all the variety of people and learning things from the different types of people,” Hunter said.
He connects with his students and engages them though learning.
“Mr. Hunter is driven to show students the world through Latin. He humorously relates all class content to popular culture. He is an energizing person to be around in any setting,” senior Sam Thompson said.
Hunter has additionally done academia prior to his years as a teacher.
“I have a bachelor’s degree in Latin, and I’ve done graduate work in Latin and in language education,” Hunter said.
Hunter has been married to his wife, Marissa, for 17 years. Their daughter Sophia is eight years old and attends Chase Street School.
Hunter enjoys various hobbies, such as athletics, literature and music.
“I like running and fitness. I’ve done full marathons, half marathons and everything in between.”
Hunter has many philosophies when it comes to teaching, but “fortes fortuna iuvat,” a Latin saying, is his personal favorite.
“’Fortes fortuna iuvat.’ It’s by a Roman writer named Juvenal, and it means ‘fortune favors the bold,’” Hunter said.
