High school math teacher Chad Austad grew up in St. Louis Park, attended Park schools and returned after college to teach.

Austad said he loves teaching in the place he grew up.

“It’s my 19th year teaching here and I love it,” Austad said.

Austad said his enjoyment of teaching stems from his love of working with numbers and kids.

“I’ve always had a good rapport with kids and young adults,” Austad said. “I thought I’d go into (teaching) and from then on I’ve loved it.”

Sophomore Maddie Lund, a student in Austad’s honors advanced algebra class, said she believes Austad’s caring personality allows him to connect with his students easily.

“I like Chad because he is super laid-back, he’s really funny, he’s super easy to talk to if I have any problems with anything,” Lund said.

Austad said an important part of teaching for him is making classes fun and enjoyable for students.

“Everyday is different because even though each year I’m teaching similar stuff, you never know what’s going to happen and it’s just goofy stuff that can happen in the classroom,” he said. “I like that aspect of it.”

According to Austad, some of his favorite teaching memories involve being silly with his students.

“Doing pep fests and dressing up and just being goofy in front of the kids, that’s always fun to do,” Austad said.

Lund said having fun in class makes her excited to learn.

“When we’re not doing anything we’ll just listen to ’80s music and it’s super fun,” Lund said. “He gives us sudoku puzzles for extra credit.”

Austad said he believes having fun is important, but success requires hard work.

“I always say ‘work hard but have fun doing it,’” Austad said. “I think it’s important to work hard in life, but also make sure you enjoy it when you’re doing it because otherwise you’re missing life.”

Lund said she appreciates Austad’s strong work ethic amidst the fun.

“He really values effort and hard work and I think that’s what he really cares about,” Lund said.

According to Lund, Austad pushes her to perform her best in class and will assist her if she struggles.

“He obviously expects me to do really well, and if I don’t, I always ask him and talk to him about it,” Lund said. “We’re always able to figure it out.”

Keeping a positive outlook no matter what makes for success as well, according to Austad.

“I think you have to wake up thinking ‘what can I do to make today a fun day,’” Austad said.

Austad said he believes being an individual is the keystone for being a good teacher.

“I think you have to be yourself first,” Austad said. “You can’t try to teach like someone else because that’s not going to work.”

Austad said he wants students to know he prioritizes their learning.

“I want them to know I love helping them,” Austad said.