Daniel Cook has returned to Poway High School after a year of pursuing a PhD at the University of Washington in Seattle. Cook started his teaching career as a history teacher here. Then a change of events that impacted his life occurred over the pandemic. Cook enjoys teaching AP Psychology as a teacher. He is pleased by the way AP psychology is so energetic and fun, which is what gives him his passion for teaching. 

One of Poway High School’s AP psychology teachers left at the end of last year and went to Del Norte High School. Mr. Cook was given this position and became the new teacher.  

 He says “he tries to make it in a fun and energetic way for the students”. After years of teaching social science and just one year of teaching AP psychology,. 

Cook left with his wife for Seattle to go achieve a PhD at the University of Washington.  He wanted to take this opportunity and prove to himself he had the patience and capability to achieve a PhD. After trying the five-year-long program for a year, Cook quickly realized the atmosphere of Seattle was not right for him. Cook and his fiancee sat down and talked about the pros and cons of staying in Seattle, the cons ended up outweighing the pros.

They decided San Diego was where they belonged and Cook took action and withdrew from the program. “It was good, but not good enough to keep me there,” Cook said. His journey back comes not only as his personal growth but also as a tribute to the students, helping them find their place in the world.

 “I missed being at Poway and teaching,” Cook said.

 Being back at Poway High School, he feels no regret in his decision to return. He enjoys teaching and expanding the minds of students, and he is pleased by the way AP psychology is so energetic and fun, which is what gives him his passion for teaching.