From Soldier to Teacher, Mr. Box

Mr. Box and his dog Stella. Photo credits by Mr. Box.

By Kyla Gray ‘24

Mr. Garrett Box is in his first year of teaching American Government at Saint Ursula Academy. As a high school senior Mr. Box did not know what he wanted to do for a career, but he knew he wanted to serve his country. Mr. Box was involved in the U.S. Army where he shot rockets and mistles for three years and 19 weeks under active duty. He served at Camp Casey, South Korea and Fort Bragg. His favorite memories from being in the Army are meeting different people and creating friendships.

“Being in the Army taught me how to be confident in myself and to be a leader, create values, and make a world a better place,” said Mr. Box.

Mr. Box stated that the biggest life lesson he learned was that things get better, and it is never as awful as you envision it. You have to look at the situation from an outside perspective, zoom out, and look at the whole picture.

Mr. Box did not always want to be a teacher; however, his unit assigned him to train the new soldiers. Watching these soldiers achieve something and “light up” made Mr. Box realize he wanted to work in education.

One of the main life skills Mr. Box learned in the Army was using patience and appreciating structure.

“Everything in the Army is structured, and there are rules and standards, and the civilian world requires patience and acceptance from many people.” Says Mr. Box.

Growing up, Mr. Box moved around a lot because his parents seperated when he was three years old. He lived most of his childhood in Metamora, Ohio, and attended Evergreen High School. Mr. Box has two older sisters and a younger half-brother.

Mr. Box and his wife met in college through a close friend. She shot her shot first and waited for him to graduate. They have a dog named Stella.

“I am married to the most beautiful woman ever and have never looked back,” said Mr. Box.