What is your name and position at Niles North? I’m Paul Torres, and I’m a Social Studies teacher. 

What is your favorite thing about teaching history? My favorite thing is seeing the trends, and always learning something new, even as the teacher. I teach students to connect the past to the present, which helps everyone understand how history is repeatable, and how one thing can change everything. 

If you could spend the day with any historical figure, who would it be and why? Abraham Lincoln because he was really just thrust into the presidency and just had one term which is interesting. I’d love to get his perspective on politics then and now even.

Who inspires you the most? My wife. She is always so pleasant and kind to everybody, even after a long day. I want to be more like her in that sense.

Do you have any favorite tv shows or movies? I love Game of Thrones and The Simpsons.

What’s a fond memory you have of being a homeroom teacher for the class of 2023? Watching everyone mature. Everyone in the homeroom is wise beyond their years, and incredibly talented and smart. Not needing to lecture anyone, and just being able to sit back and watch people interact with each other, and work extra hard on assignments is just great.

If you could give one piece of advice to all of your students, what would it be? Do what you love and love what you do. Go in the direction that is best for you. Love who you love.

Any exciting plans for the summer? I’ll do a couple of triathlons and swim in the morning every day. I’ll also watch my daughter play softball, and my son play basketball, and just drive them around. It’s the best, there are only a couple of years left before they’re off to college, so I want to enjoy the time I have with them.

What made you want to become a teacher? My dad was a teacher, and I’ve always looked up to him. When I got to college though, I was going into nursing. But I also love history and swimming, and I decided I could do those things, teach those things to others, and still have that passion for both.

What song makes you want to get up and dance? I grew up in a Puerto-Rican household, and when I was growing up, Chicago House music was huge. There’s a song called “Perculator”, “It’s time for the percolator, it’s time for the percolator”. Whenever I hear that song, I just get up and start dancing.