BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, SC (WIS) -
He's young, teaching in front of the classroom and he's 10 years older than the students he's teaching.
"You know a lot of parents are thinking 'Oh my God, he's 23 years old. He doesn't have any experience.'" said Roy Frick "One thing about doing business education classes, I've been out in the real world."
This is Roy Frick's first week on the job at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School.
Before teaching business courses, he was a fresh college graduate with a bachelor's in business, managing a sport shop.
"I'd rather help young people and make a difference in people lives instead of just making a pay check," said Frick.
So he gave it up and took a $5,000 pay cut to follow his passion.
He signed up for State Department of Education's program for accrediting certified educators called PACE.
The program prepares people like Roy to teach through an entrance exam, graduate level courses, and two workshops each year for the next three years.
"If he doesn't do all those things, then after three years he can't be a teacher," said Assistant Superintendent Robert Williams. "So it's not easy at all."
Roy loves the new challenge.
"I can't really explain it," he said. "It's a happy feeling. Just been a joy. I don't want the day to end."
Roy says what he lacks in experience he makes up for it in passion.
And there's a 100 people just like Roy in South Carolina classrooms this school year.
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