Andrew Rodriguez is preparing to spend four months next year dedicated to something bigger than himself. It will take him away from his family and a job he loves.

“I’ve always had it in my head that I wanted to serve, and there’s always been a lot of really excellent excuses to put it off,” he said.

Rodriguez, 32, will be taking a leave of absence in the spring semester from his job teaching English at Nashua High School North to complete his officer training in the National Guard. Rodriguez is a second lieutenant in the 372nd signal company of Manchester.

The next step is for him to take part in the Basic Officer Leadership Course, or BOLC, at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga. It’s a four-month program.

Rodriguez comes from a family with a long history of military and police service, and it was always his intent to serve in some capacity. But as he made his way through his 20s, he was focused on his teaching career and his family. He is married with two children.

It was when he turned 30 that Rodriguez knew it was time to act. He joined the National Guard with the intent of becoming an officer, but knowing it would, at some point, take him away from his teaching duties in Nashua.

Having gone through some of his training already, Rodriguez said there are things he’s learning that have helped him become a better teacher, and, likewise, experiences from teaching that have helped in his training.

“I’m proud of being a teacher, but being a soldier has its benefits, too,” he said, with a camouflage National Guard backpack next to his desk.

While his initial officer training will be complete after this next step, Rodriguez said training is a constant cycle, so this will close out one part of that until the next one starts up. There is a well-defined career path for officers with training spread throughout, he said. And there is a unknown element of unit training and mission-specific training that could occur with a deployment, he said.

In the event of a deployment, Rodriguez would have to take another leave of absence, though its length could be undefined.

While some training requires “blackout,” in which there is limited or no communication with family, Rodriguez said he would be able to speak with his family and children during his training next year. Skype is one way he will be able to stay in touch, he said.

This is Rodriguez’s fifth year at the school. He teaches English and journalism. Principal David Ryan said the school has been working with Rodriguez at every step to make sure it could support him in his decision.

“We support him and what he wants do for his country,” Ryan said.

He remembers interviewing Rodriguez and being intrigued by his nontraditional background. Ryan said Rodriguez has flourished in his role and will be welcomed back when he is finished with training.

“He takes risks with the kids, which is what we promote in the classroom,” Ryan said. “He gets great results.”

The school has hired a teacher who will fill in for Rodriguez during his leave of absence. Ryan said the substitute is a certified English teacher. Rodriguez will be there the first week or so to help with the transition, but also doesn’t want to overstay his welcome and step on her toes.

Rodriguez said the school could not have been more supportive of his decision. He made the decision to enlist before he was tenured. That made him a little nervous, but he said it hasn’t been an issue.

“I love the district. I love the building,” Rodriguez said.

The Learning Curve appears Thursdays in The Telegraph. Michael Brindley can be reached at 594-6426 or mbrindley@nashuatelegraph.com.