Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Rivera.
Hi Mike, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have always enjoyed comedy; I was a very shy kid. My father told me to make your greatest weakness your greatest strength so I answered an ad to join an improve comedy workshop after completing college at San Jose State. This was in 1986. After a year it gave me enough courage to go on stage by myself. I eventually became a stand-up professional comedian, traveling the US, Europe, and the Caribbean. After 7 years I decided to get married and start a family. I became an educator and began teaching the 7th grade, but I would still do comedy on the weekends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Performing comedy and still being a teacher while raising a family as a single dad has been a challenge. My son was diagnosed with a tumor at the age of 13 years old and requiring surgery. As he recovered my daughter was diagnosed with ITP, a disorder where she has difficulty clotting. I am now able to talk about this in my act.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Six years ago, The View was looking for America’s Most Hilarious Teacher. Something told me to apply, and based on my video, I was chosen to be one of the five finalist. I was flown to New York and performed three times, won, and then was showcased on the show and performed. I went from having 4 minutes of comedy teaching material to now having 45 minutes of teaching material. I have performed teacher comedy shows and both state and national teacher’s conventions. Two years ago, I was able to perform for the American Federation of Teachers conference in DC.
I ended up writing a book, “From Stand-up Comedian to Stand-up Teacher” where I give strategies that I learned as a stand-up comedian for teachers to use in the classroom to connect with and engage their students.
How do you think about happiness?
I love performing comedy, and I also love showing my students that you can laugh and learn at the same time. Being able to mentor students, new teachers, and new comics allows me to combine both of my passions…comedy and teaching.
Pricing:
- From Stand Up Comedian to Stand Up Teacher in paperback $19.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestandupteacher.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhVlVgYcRqcSLUZSbyFQJw
