A self-proclaimed “project teacher,” Mr. Docter has traveled across the globe, run nearly twenty marathons, taught for more than fifteen years, and settled down in the south wing here at Garfield. Here he talks about finding his teaching style, taking on a year of challenges, and why he’s loving it.

How do you think your first year as an AP Euro teacher is going?

Oh, I think it’s going real well. I still have a lot to learn, this being my first year, there’s some real things that you’ve got to learn. It’s so different than any other class I’ve ever taught. It’s a really different style where it’s mostly lecture. It takes a while to adjust to teaching that type of class, but I feel like after four months of developing my own style I think it’s going well. Things are going to be where I want them to be but again, there are always new things to learn

How would you define your style?

I’m trying to incorporate, not just the lecture, I’m trying to incorporate activities I’ve used in the past, and I feel like it just adds another dimension. Style is just, you know, you. Every teacher wants to in corporate themselves, their own way of doing things, but again, you’re always using other ideas from other teachers. It’s something that makes you comfortable when you incorporate your own style it’s Mr. Docter.

How’s your wife doing? I heard she has cancer.

She’s going through chemo, she’s halfway through. She’s maintaining a real positive attitude which is a huge part of the battle. She’s a real inspiration to me. Right now she’s looking for a part time job, a chemistry teacher, she doesn’t have a lot of energy but she wants something to do. She’s doing great. I guess I don’t have a lot to complain about.

Has it been hard to balance taking care of your wife and this new kind of teaching?

It’s a lot of juggling, it’s not easy teaching all day and at the same time being a responsible husband. You know, coming home after school. She has her good days and her bad days and I always want to be there for her. Along with a ninety-year old father, though, it can get pretty stressful. I’ve been the person in the family whose been helping my dad out for along time. But I really love being in the classroom and the students have been great support. Teaching is the easiest part of my life right now. It’s like a vacation.

How has it been managing your AP Euro and world History classes?

I love the diversity. That I’ve learned so much (from AP Euro) whereas I have much more experience in world history, Africa, Asia, South America, etc. I’ve traveled to all those countries and I like to incorporate my ideas and experiences into my teaching. And I can take more time in world history, you know, when you’re not preparing kids for a major test.

How did you prepare for teaching AP Euro?

Dan Cerquitella, who has been an outstanding mentor, met with me several times throughout the summer. I think I’ll really be where I want to be next year, but you know, it takes years to really get this stuff down. It’s really been a year of challenge and I wanted this challenge, I’ve been teaching the same thing for a long time. I felt AP Euro was something so different from anything else I had taught and it requires a lot of outside research and it’s something I’ve always looked forward to teaching AP in a high school. The students have made such a difference and they definitely keep me on my toes. I mean when you’re a new teacher and you have great teachers like Mandelman and Cerquitella teaching AP Euro you feel you have a real tough act to follow. At Hamilton I was the big guy. AP really humbles you. But four months later, Mr. Docter is loving it!