Spring 2013 Edition
The ACS Athens Blue & Gold Newspaper presents the exclusive interview of….
The Man behind the Desk On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, we sent two of our finest reporters, Nicolas Kalantzakis (12) and Daphne Apostolides (12) behind the scenes to find out who the man of the hour is. Who is this respected man who has governed our school for the past few months and is (seldom) heard on the announcements? Brian F. Gerbracht. That’s who. Thank you so much for accepting to be interviewed by the Blue & Gold Magazine. So, tell us a bit about how you got here?
“Some of things we do here are very different than what we do in other schools; ACS is very unique. For example this collaboration with St. Louis University is certainly an extreme success. In the United States, schools usually collaborate with community colleges however here there are collaborations with universities. There’s innovation here- it’s not something you usually see. The experience gets me excited as a learner and as somebody who wants to learn. To be honest, I haven’t really explored Athens yet but I do love the climate! I grew up in Buffalo, New York, so I’m not really threatened by the rainy winters (laughs). So far, I have been to the Acropolis, Aegina and the Peloponnese. They are all so beautiful!” In all honesty, what is the most rewarding aspect of your occupation? What is it about this job that you love?
“The most rewarding aspect of this job is being able “It’s a pleasure. In high school I didn’t really quite to see kids, adults and parents grow and learn to know what I wanted to do when I graduated. I went become better- better human beings. My job is to be to the University of Buffalo in New York and honest and to help my students get better. I want to decided to take a couple of classes in music while make sure students can be the best they can be in majoring in sound recording. My schedule order to reach their aspirations. I am facilitator, consisted of half music half science classes. After that’s my role. With students I tell them, ‘here is college my wife and I met and got married. where you are and here is how I can help you As we began planning our life together, I “I advise get to where you want to go.’ A lot of people realized that I couldn’t really pursue a you to find think this job is about teaching kids but really career in music so I decided to look at my something it’s about teaching people. It’s about learning second love, which is learning. I love to people need, how to make people behave better- it’s all learn! My whole family believes in not about ethos. I love my job and I never stop education; we always had discussions something trying.” about learning. My Grandmother suggested people want, to me in high school that I would make a Nicely put. What are your goals for the 2012wonderful teacher. So I decided to pursue a and use that 2013 school year? major in education while using my science to succeed.” “My aim is to use the data we generate to and music background. At first I learned how to make this school a better community. I want to look become a teacher, but later I realized I had more at MAP test scores, grades, and discipline and managerial skills as opposed to teaching skills. I attendance reports and reflect on where we can then decided to become an administrator and got improve. I also want to create a culture of caring in my first job in a New York High school, and then the school.” became a principal of a Kindergarten-Grade 12 school. Four years later, I decided to take a job in What advice would you give to high school Athens, Greece.” students? Tell us about your experience at ACS Athens so “I would recommend my students find something far. How is life in Greece so far? they are passionate about to pursue a career. I 1