Schuster seeks to inspire passion for history and government in students, 'really get them involved'

William Schuster – a history teacher, volleyball coach and baseball coach at Ball High School in Galveston – also serves as a member of the Galveston City Council, and is one of the youngest council members to recently serve.

Schuster, who graduated from Ball High School in 2006 before receiving a degree in political science from Texas State University, recently spoke with the Houston Daily about his work from the classroom to council chambers.

“Teaching U.S. history – what I taught, and what my degree’s in, in government – is actually what led my desire to want to get into politics,” Schuster told the Houston Daily.

Schuster said that he has taught his students about the progressive era in U.S. history, as local governments became more accountable and more responsive to those they served. As one of the approximately 70% of Americans who never move more than 18 miles from the town where they grew up, he said he fell in love with that section and the important role of local government.

“I’ve tried to tie-in how important it is to get involved in local politics – your city council, your school board,” he said. “Because this is your community.”

Schuster said that the local level is also where voters can have the most impact. He hopes, through his teaching, to inspire students to become involved in the political lives of their communities throughout their own lives.

“You want to make a community that is great to raise a family, that you want to live in, so doing that for students and constituents, that is a goal,” Schuster said. “For my students, individually, I really want to get them interested in how their city works, how their city functions, really get them involved.”

Schuster won his seat on the council 805-311 last year in an election against Pam Bass after the seat was vacated by Craig Brown, who became mayor in the same election, according to coverage by The Daily News.