*Teacher: 6th Grade Math*
By: Morgan Blechschmid and Danielle Shehee
January 22, 2021
Mr. Jerrod Karl is a 6th grade math teacher at the Brooklyn School. In addition to being a teacher, Mr. Karl, also known as Coach Karl, is the basketball coach for the boys varsity team. He also likes to race cars, golf (even though he is not very good at it), and most importantly, spend time with his daughter. Karl is remembered by his past students for always being supportive, kind, and patient.
Q: Why did you decide to coach boys basketball?
A: “I played basketball in high school and was always considered the coach on the floor. I was always directing players where to go and breaking down the X’s and O’s of the game with the coaches. Becoming a coach kind of was the next progression after playing.”
Q: What has been your favorite subject to teach?
A: “My favorite subject that I have taught is 6th grade science. Some of the standards could be a little dry for students, so I took it as a challenge to try and make class enjoyable.”
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: “I have it narrowed down to two things: It is either the moment a student finally understands a concept and they get that smile on their face or when you get a chance to catch up with a former student you haven’t seen in a while.”
Q: What is your least favorite aspect about teaching?
A: “My least favorite part of teaching is when I lose instructional time to deal with unfavorable behaviors. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it can be extremely frustrating.”
Q: Have you ever coached any other sport besides basketball?
A: “I have not. If our school would get a golf team back, that would be the only other sport I would coach.”
{Editor’s Note: Get in line, Coach Karl!}
Q: What is an important piece of advice that you give to your players before a game?
A: “Never be satisfied. A never-satisfied mentality means that you continually work to improve, no matter the achievements or accomplishments. When one becomes satisfied with themselves, they lose a little bit of the edge or drive to keep getting better. We want our athletes and team to at least get 1-2 percent better everyday.”
Q: How do you deal with a stressful situation when teaching?
A: “It is a bad habit, but I normally just bottle it in, and stay calm. The minute students sense stress, they start to become stressed themselves. I just try to hide it and make it through the day. Once students leave, I normally go workout and put on some Metallica to decompress.”
Q: If you could choose any other job besides teaching, what would it be and why?
A: “I would probably be a mechanical engineer. Between my racing background and knowledge of mathematics, I think it would be an ideal career for me.”
Thank you, Coach Karl, for your time and candid answers. You are a huge addition to the Hurricane family.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 