The Pine Needle catches up with the Scot who knows American history like he was born in the USA.
By Andrea Albor, Mia Guffey, Addison Colombe, and Hadley Temple
Callum Dewar, teacher at Central High School, does more than teach: he manages to make time as the department chair of social studies, representing the department to administration and helping to uphold school policy. “I’m also the senior class advisor,” says Mr. Dewar, “so I deal with graduation and all things school spirit for seniors, and I’m the faculty rep for Central High School, so that means I’m the union rep for teachers. If teachers have a negotiation issue, they contact myself.”
“I think when you work with good people it makes a difference,” said Dewar. “It’s not just a job; it’s something that’s a part of your identity, and teaching is very much part of my identity.”
After meeting his wife in 2020 through a program at the University of Glasgow, they decided for him to move to America as soon as borders reopened after covid. Dewar lived an eventful life before moving to America. “I did musical theatre my senior year, I played rugby, and I was in the brigades,” he said.
Dewar’s mind was always set on being a teacher, being fascinated by the way history informs us what’s happening today and being able to “Connect up all the little pieces of the jigsaw.”
Dewar also was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2025, although he clarifies that’s not his biggest accomplishment. “I wrote an application for a friend to receive a medal from Queen Elisabeth II,” he said. “He was presented with it and invited me to go along with him to palace of Holyroodhouse. I was there the day he received his British empire medal from Queen Elizabeth II. I think it was a big accomplishment, but it’s not something that was an accomplishment for me but I feel like it was something that I did for someone else.”
Now Dewar spends his days meeting with his department to discuss curriculum. “We have these really good discourse or debates on what is the level of rigor when it comes to students’ assessments,” mentioned Dewar. “It’s really good for us as a team to try and be on the same page”.
Dewar is also a mentor to Ms. Jolly in the freshman house; he spends his first period checking up on her as well as being department chair and checking in on the staff. Dewar spends time as senior class advisor, making sure seniors are prepared for graduation and have the best year. “Graduation is the best event of the whole year. It’s bittersweet because it’s the last time we see you all as a class. It’s why we do what we do is to see you walk up on that stage, get your diploma, punching your fist in the air, tears on your face, and that’s the best, so that’s what I love most about doing this job.”
