By Louis Werthemeier, year 11
History teachers pride themselves on their knowledge of accurate sources, and iconic LGB teacher Mr. Stack fully embraces this spirit with a World War One artillery shell lying on his desk. In this interview, Mr. Stack discussed his past and his theories on teaching, and shared anecdotes about his experiences on the job.
Why did you become a teacher?
Mr. Sibley. He was my secondary school replacement teacher for chemistry for a term, when my usual teacher went on leave. I don’t know what it was about him, but he brought me from someone who was completely uninterested in chemistry to a potential A-level or University student, in just a matter of months. So later on when I thought about becoming a teacher, I immediately thought about him and what he had accomplished.
So did you go on to study Chemistry?
No. My interest in chemistry left when Mr. Sibley left. But I recognized the impact of a teacher on a subject, and how they can make or break some students’ love for the subject in certain conditions.
So are teachers the most important factor in teaching a subject?
Same answer, no. They can influence a student but there is so much more that influences how a student [perceives] the subject. But I must say that a good teacher does help.
What is your favourite year group to teach?
The oldest students, because you can have a proper conversation with them. They just know more than the younger ones, and it makes the whole conversation a lot more interesting. I also don’t have to constantly worry about the two boys fighting in the corner and the girls on their phones. The maturity of the older students just makes it so much more interesting to talk with them.
You tell a lot of memorable stories, what is one of the “fan favourites”?
The pizza story: Once upon a time, we were guarding the U.S. nuclear missiles, it was pitch black and we were walking around with our night vision, guarding these nukes which weren’t even ours. Then out of nowhere, one of the big doors opens and this bright light floods the area, and some American pops his head out, and offers us all pizza from their pizza truck. So whilst we were supposed to be guarding this secret nuclear launch site, we dug into our holes and the Americans had their own pizza truck.
You served in the military professionally – any advice you would give anyone thinking about joining?
It’s very mixed. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s too hard, and sometimes it’s not too hard. It’s your life, so you might go down to the shops and the pub, or might be asked to do some tough stuff. Be prepared for a very mixed bag, because I guarantee it’s not what you think it is like.
What is the hardest part of talking to parents?
Being original. Because if I say to one student’s parents that his essays need more sources, then it probably applies to the rest of the class. So after 2-3 parent-teacher discussions, I am almost following a script in my head, something I don’t really like.
Is IB history a hard subject?
It’s definitely a tough subject, there is a lot of reading that is required, but the teachers here at LGB are amazing, all highly qualified and know their craft. I also want to add that the IB curriculum is very interesting, especially if you like 20th-century history.
What is the weirdest thing a student has ever told you?
That he couldn’t come to school as there was a firefight outside his apartment building.
