Working two jobs may be the only way for some of us to pay the rent this month, but for eighth grade teacher Sam Worthen it means a chance to model for some of fashion's biggest names and travel the world.
Worthen was heading home on the train one day from his job as an English teacher, in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, when he was scouted by a fellow male model. Upon the model's reccommendation, Worthen went into offices of RED NYC a couple weeks later and was signed to the agency. Now, Worthen books gigs with labels like Alexander Wang and Public School, and even flew to London to walk in Alexander McQueen's runway show.
Despite his promising modeling career, Worthen continues his role as an educator, which he says is more irreplaceable. "There are tons of dudes who can do whatever they want me to do on camera with equally satisfying results," he tells Racked. But he adds, "As a teacher, it just takes so long to build up the trust and rapport and routine with your kids." His day job has prevented him from working with some huge labels and fashion houses, including Louis Vuitton, but Worthen says most are willing to work with his schedule. He says his first paid job for Alexander Wang had to be rescheduled because there are days when he "absolutely can't miss school," he says.
If you are thinking of begrudging this guy for his good fortune, Worthen says that his modeling job has afforded him the extra cash flow to buy new books for his students. It's really a feel good story from no matter which angle you look at it.
Read the whole feature on Racked.
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[via Racked]
