The CHIEF March 2019

WITH MR. HACKLER

BY JOSEPH GILMOR This month, I had the privilege to interview one of our newest editions to the PTHS teaching staff, Mr. Cal Hackler. This Georgetown, Illinois native, is a graduate of Georgetown Ridge Farm High School who followed his brother to ISU. After student teaching at University High School, he took a job at Westville Junior High School before deciding to teach at the high school level here at PTHS. Mr. Hackler appreciates the fact that PTHS is able to maintain a small school atmosphere while still providing all of the amenities of a much larger facility. When asked if he had any especially fond memories to share, Mr. Hackler volunteered, “Every day is a memory with Mr. Ritter!” He keeps himself busy co-sponsoring our Student Council, which allows him to actively participate in events such as the PTHS Holiday Tournament. Mr. Hackler loves exciting events such as the Tournament, because it gives him the opportunity to interact with and get to know his students outside of the classroom. With Mr. Hackler, inspiration goes both ways. He inspires his students to learn, and his students inspire him to keep on teaching. Mr. Hackler has uttered more than once that money is no reason to take or keep a job. Mr. Hackler has encountered teachers whose hearts were in the wrong place, and notes that their effectiveness died alongside their inspiration. Whether he’s in the classroom or volunteering outside of school, Mr. Hackler is always willing to lend a helping hand to those who need it. We here at PTHS hope that he retains his passion for teaching and continues to inspire his students here for many years to come.

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