Former Social Studies teacher Joe Raiti raced cars professionally and now produces internet content. Photo credit: Paradise News
There are many examples of successful classroom teachers who have left the classroom to pursue other careers. One of these is Joe Raiti, a former Florida teacher who earned acclaim as a race car driver and internet content producer.
Joe earned his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Central Florida in 1998. He earned his Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of South Florida in 2008.
After graduating from college, Joe taught Social Studies in Pisco County Schools in New Port Richey, Florida. He taught there from 2001 to 2018. He instructed courses in Advanced Placement (AP) History, AP Psychology, and World History. The popular educator also started a Car Club on the campus where he offered students instruction all about cars, whether it be a car’s history or how to change a tire or the engine oil.
In all, Joe’s career as an educator spanned 19 years. During these years, he earned several accolades. In 2008, he was named the In 2015, he earned the .
Once he left the classroom, Joe began to pursue a career in car racing. His passion for cars dates back to when he was just a youngster, he has confessed. As a kid, he attended races with his father and honed his skills for fixing cars working at his dad’s mechanics shop. In his senior year of college, Joe decided to liquidate his belongings, including his 1985 Corvette, and enroll in a racing school in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After he completed his training, he launched his career as a professional race car driver, a profession he pursued for three years. He raced at some of the most famous raceways in the country, including Daytona International Speedway, Sebring International Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Road America, Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and Mosport International Raceway. In these races Joe clocked a First Place finish and a Second Place finish at the SCCA Regional Championship, and a Second Place finish at Daytona International Speedway.
These days, Joe produces video content covering automotive topics, where he has produced more than 3,000 videos and boasts 1.7 million subscribers. He calls this creative effort “Raiti’s Rides.” You can check out Joe’s website at raitisrides.com or his YouTube content at Raiti’s Rides.