Having a class where a teacher only goes through the lesson can be boring and adversely affect one’s learning capabilities. Mr. Geoffrey Waugh, a new biology teacher at Fort Hamilton High School, works to make his lessons both important and fun to keep students engaged in learning. During his 21 years of teaching in Maryland, Florida and then New York, he found his own teaching style, occasionally using sarcasm and humor to connect with the students. From the convenience of location to the genuine interest its students have in learning, Mr. Waugh feels that Fort Hamilton is the school best for him.
Mr. Waugh’s desire to become a teacher was partially influenced by his seventh-grade English teacher who taught him important writing skills that he continues to use today. Mr. Waugh was inspired by how much his teacher impacted him, and he wants to do the same for others, arming them with the knowledge necessary to make sense of the world they live in and understand how their bodies work. Since sophomore year of college, Mr. Waugh knew he wanted to study the way the body works, leading him to declare a major in biology.
“The human body is a crazy thing,” he said. “We use it every single day.”
Mr. Waugh feels that what makes him stand out from other teachers is his ability to strike a perfect balance between seriousness and playfulness in the classroom. “I try to keep it chill while still getting work done,” he told The Pilot. This ability to strike a balance is, in his opinion, how he has lasted in the profession for so long. When asked what advice he would offer to new teachers, he said, “Things aren’t that deep. Take care of your family and do what you need to do at home first.”
Mr. Waugh hopes to be an understanding teacher who helps students feel comfortable and included at school. He believes that over time during the pandemic, students lost their ability to speak up and communicate. He advises students to “Ask for help, please advocate for yourself.”
