As a former police officer, Dave Murray once worked to keep the community safe. Now, he’s working to keep them fit and active.
Murray left his job as a police officer to become a special education teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools, and now works for the Frederick County Public School system.
Additionally, he coaches recreational sports teams for kids and works as a personal trainer. Murray often holds free fitness days for the Brunswick Crossing community, inviting people of all ages and abilities to exercise.
Murray, 40, lives in Brunswick with his wife, Julie, and their children, Addison (11), Declan (8) and Ryan (3).
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Why did you make the switch from being a police officer to becoming a teacher?
I didn’t have kids at the time, I just wanted to move closer to the East Coast. I would have had to go through police academy again to be an officer here, and I didn’t want to go through the whole academy regiment again. Someone suggested that I look into teaching and coaching, because I played football for a lot of my life, and sports has always been a big part of my life.
I started as a substitute teacher while I was in the process of applying to police departments in Maryland, but I ended up getting a job as a teacher and getting a master’s in education and the certifications I needed.
What do you enjoy about being a teacher?
I really enjoy the students. I’m a high school special education teacher, so I have a lot of paperwork and responsibilities, but my favorite part is definitely the students’ energy, livelihood and humor. They keep me young, they keep me, they keep me hip. So they’re easily my favorite part.
You’re very involved in the community as a coach and personal trainer. Why is community involvement so important to you?
As I mentioned before, sports are a big part of my life. As an adult, though, there aren’t many opportunities to do organized sports, so I kind of transferred that into coaching. So I coached as a high school coach, but also now I have a couple part-time jobs in fitness, and I just think fitness is just a great way to bring people together. I like staying in shape. I think it’s important. I think it’s such a good example for my kids. But it also means a lot to me to be able to spread the joy and camaraderie of fitness. It’s a great way to bring people together.
On the weekends, I’ll work out with my kids. We spend like an hour doing a workout, and I invite all my neighbors and their kids. Even the little guys are out there, like my three-year-old.
Are there any ways in which you feel being a teacher and coach has made you a better parent, or vice versa?
Being a teacher, I have to be patient and a people person, which really helps me as a parent. Like anyone, I have my moments, but it helps me to be more organized. I think my kids really thrive on the fact that they know I work with students with disabilities, and students who don’t like school or struggle in it. Since my kids have that empathy, it leads to good conversations at home about helping others and doing things for more than yourself.
I run my own personal training business on the side, so my kids get to see me training clients who are accomplishing some really big goals, whether that’s weight loss or bouncing back after a big life event. It shows them that leadership isn’t all about you, but it starts with you. I think they’re growing into people I’m very proud of.
What do you hope your kids learn from you as they grow?
In today’s world, there’s a lot of negativity and things that will drag you down. I always say to [my kids] that the world just needs more nice people who help others without worrying about benefiting themselves. Being a nice person does have benefits, whether they’re immediate or come later in life. We’ve done things like pick up trash around the neighborhood. It’s the kind of thing we do because it needs to be done. If it’s not us, then who is it going to be?
Family Favorites
Meal: Breakfast for dinner.
Activity or Game: When playing outside, it’s basketball. Otherwise, it’s Fortnite.
Local Spot: Any high school sporting event.
Vacation Spot: Rehoboth Beach, Del.
TV Show: Avatar: The Last Airbender.
