Family and friends call East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney social studies teacher Bradley Bloomhuff, “Bruno,” while others just call him “Coach.” The Voice of the Ville talked with Bloomhuff about his path to education and his impression of EEVPA.
Voice of the Ville: What made you want to become a teacher?
Bloomhuff: Both of my parents were teachers. My mom taught Latin, and my dad taught biology. That is all I knew, and my dad was my superhero. So, it just made sense.
Voice of the Ville: Why did you choose to teach at East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney?
Bloomhuff: I began my teaching career at a time when finding teaching jobs was difficult. And one of my first teaching jobs was in the Department of Corrections in the State of Michigan. Then I found a job in Oak Park. There, I became familiar with alternative education. It is the other school where kids go when they get thrown out of, right? And then you get behind in credits. Well, I met a guy by the name of Marty Bulger, and we maintained our friendship the entire time that we taught there and after. Marty had an opening at EEVPA at Finney, and it was also a time in my career that I started to contemplate retirement and being closer to home. And it also turned out that I went to high school here, briefly, when the school used to be Finney High School. So, this is something that is coming full circle for me.
EEVPA social studies teacher Bradley Bloomhuff calls EEVPA an “amazing place.” Courtesy photo.
Voice of the Ville: How do you enjoy working at EEVPA at Finney?
Bloomhuff: This is absolutely an amazing place. The kids are amazing, the staff has been amazing. Everyone was so welcoming. They did not have to take me in. They did not have to be polite and nice, but everyone has been. The fact that they did not have to, I know that it means it is authentic. I could not be happier.
Voice of the Ville:How do you manage being a swim coach and a teacher?
Bloomhuff: They are kind of the same job. One is in the classroom, and one is in the pool. It is really the same skill set: teaching a kid to do something with their mind is the same as teaching them to do something with their musculoskeletal system.
Voice of the Ville: Is teaching your passion or something that you really wanted to do?
Bloomhuff: Teaching is not my job; it is what I am. I have always wanted to be a teacher. I like everything about it. I love the sizes of the buildings: The giant high schools are amazing to me. The way that they are laid out. The equipment the teachers use, the way technology has changed. When I first started my teaching career, we used chalkboards, no joke. Your ability to produce clear and concise information mattered.
Voice of the Ville: So, you always wanted to be a teacher?
Bloomhuff: Yes, I have never wanted to be a fireman, certainly never wanted to be a cop. I have always known that this is what I meant to do. I mean I am not great at it, but I have not been fired yet. So, that is cool, I do have that going for me. I try everyday and I give my best every day.
