“I have felt like giving up and I think that’s one of those things that is universal regardless of your class, or your age, or your race, or your gender, any of those those things. I had a very wise friend once tell me that ‘Sadness is sadness regardless of the cause. Whether you’re rich and healthy, or you’re poor and sick, if you feel sadness, your sadness comes from something.’ I think that everyone at some point in their life, no matter where they come from, no matter what they’re doing, at some point in their life, they probably felt that way, and I know I have. Even within the last year when I moved from the east coast to the west coast, I wasn’t necessarily on the brink of destruction, but there were times where I was overwhelmed, where I felt like what I wanted to do, I was not going to able to accomplish. Then in school, everyone kind of goes through those things. ‘Man, I’m never going to be able to understand this. I’m never going to get an A in this class.’ Everyone has those feelings and really at those times, I think that’s when it’s good to have a friend or a family member you can talk to who can just make you feel better. ‘Take a deep breath’, that’s one of the things I tell my students. ‘Take a deep breath and just try to be mindful. “Why do I feel this way? Why do I feel sad? Why do I feel hopeless? Why do I feel like I’m not going to be able to achieve my goals?”’ Try to be honest with yourself. And I think it’s not easy because at those times when you feel the most down, it’s the hardest to convince yourself of your worth and that you are going to be ok, that you are a good person, and you are going to accomplish things that are productive and that make you feel better. But at those times it’s really tough, and that’s why I think it’s really great, like I’ve mentioned a couple times, to have a support system, having friends and family who can help you with that.”
Mr. Geckle is a Chemistry teacher at La Canada High School. Although he grew up in New York, he moved to Maryland to teach. This is his first year teaching at LCHS and in his classes, he often reminds his students that understanding subjects is more important than getting good grades. If you ever want to discuss philosophy or chemistry, he is the person to go to. Thank you, Mr. Geckle, for being our first interviewee!
Mr. Geckle is a Chemistry teacher at La Canada High School. Although he grew up in New York, he moved to Maryland to teach. This is his first year teaching at LCHS and in his classes, he often reminds his students that understanding subjects is more important than getting good grades. If you ever want to discuss philosophy or chemistry, he is the person to go to. Thank you, Mr. Geckle, for being our first interviewee!