Pop Quiz

Q+A with EHS Teachers

Pop Quiz turns the table on teachers and asks them to respond to 11 quick questions. Their enthusiastic responses reveal the values, quirks, and interests that make them so effective in teaching EHS students.

ANDY CLACK

Director of Interim Term, Religion Teacher, Track Coach

Religion teacher Andy Clack calls Georgia home but he grew up in a few different places. Clack says you can track his life based on where there are M&M Mars plants (The people who make Skittles, M&Ms, and Snickers). His dad was an industrial engineer with Mars and the family moved around a few times because of his work. Clack was born in Cleveland, Tennessee, but spent many years in Pennsylvania before graduating high school in Albany, Georgia. Clack attended Birmingham‑Southern College where he majored in religion and minored in Spanish. He later went on to earn a Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary. Clack joined EHS in 2019. He ran the 400m dash in college and is now the assistant track and field coach at EHS. But that’s not all, Clack also serves as the Director of Interim Term along with teaching his religion classes. He has spent a good amount of time over the years running and cycling, hiking, and playing golf. It should come as no surprise, Clack enjoys spending time outside. Along with his wife, Julie, chasing his toddler around the backyard is a current pastime.

What’s on your playlist?

Spotify is saying Wilco, Khruangbin, The Doors, and Vampire Weekend. Not a week goes by when I don’t listen to my favorites: Sufjan Stevens and Manchester Orchestra.

What was the first concert you attended?

The first live concert that really hit me was at Center Stage in Atlanta in high school. Manchester Orchestra opened for another indie rock band called Brand New.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career?

For some reason I always told myself that I’d end up in law school even though I had no clue what that implied. So, we’ll go with lawyer.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I should probably say being a dad, and that’s probably true. But I’ll make it more interesting. I researched screenwriting conventions and wrote a 43‑page Seinfeld script as a screenwriting project rooted entirely in personal experience to graduate from the honors program when I was in college. It was a lot of work, and I had a blast doing it. I’ve been told it reads just like a Seinfeld episode.

Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget?

Nope. Not a tech guy.

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career?

Dr. Travis Campbell. My family moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia before my freshman year, and Dr. Campbell was my 9th grade history teacher. He showed me how to love learning, think critically, and appreciate the most fundamental questions human beings can ask, questions about the meaning of our existence.

If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose?

Though the living conditions would be rough, probably Roman history at the height of the Roman Empire.

What do you most respect about your colleagues?

There is a fountain of goodwill among colleagues here. Teachers appreciate the life of the mind, and it shows in the way they engage each other and their students.

What do you most respect about your students?

Rev. Callaham says it best: Students say thank you when they turn in tests. I respect the joy I encounter in students. For all the students: it’s okay to have a bad day or to be an introvert.

Read any good books recently?

I recently read much of James Baldwin and finished reading Jane Austen’s novels. My wife is a certified Janeite (or is it Austenite?), and being the good husband I am, I vowed to read all that Jane has written.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?

On Sunday nights, we start the new week off with ramen from Ramen Bar Ichi in West Houston. It wouldn’t feel right without it. 31

KRISTINA BURGESS

Dance Program Coordinator

Dance connoisseur Kristina Burgess is a native Houstonian. She attended Eisenhower High School before heading over to the University of Houston where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts History with a minor in Latin America Studies. Burgess is in her 10th year at EHS. She is the Dance Program Coordinator and the Spring Musical choreographer. She is also one of the Advisory Steering Committee Chairs. Her favorite way to spend her spare time is traveling near and far to visit family. Those morning walks with her hubby and two dogs rank right up there whenever schedules allow. Burgess loves cheering on her Houston Astros and going to the theatre.

What’s on your playlist?

Hamilton Broadway Cast recording, Max Richter, Melody Gardot, lots of pops songs for students and ballet music.

What was the first concert you attended?

Sting back in 1989 (or maybe 1990?).

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career?

Performer (acting, singing, and dancing).

What is your proudest accomplishment?

One of them would definitely be coordinating the 2020 Fall Dance Concert, Convergence. It was during the COVID‑19 pandemic and the EHS dancers and creative team put together an outstanding virtual concert!

Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget?

Soda Crush.

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career?

My mom! She is the reason I am able to do what I love, dancing and teaching.

If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose?

Hmm? Do I get a Tardis?

What do you most respect about your colleagues?

Their passion for teaching and coaching!

What do you most respect about your students?

My students’ creativity and willingness to think outside the box!

Read any good books recently?

I often reread One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It’s my favorite book!

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be?

Chinese food.

JULIUS MICHAEL

Head Cross Country Coach, Assistant 12th Grade Dean, History Teacher

Head Cross Country Coach Julius Michael is a favorite across the EHS campus. Michael was born in South Sudan, Africa, but he grew up in a refugee camp in Uganda. He eventually moved to Houston and attended Lamar High School. Michael then went on to study at Sam Houston State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Secondary Education. He didn’t stop there. Michael also has a Master of Science degree in International and Intercultural Education from Florida International University. He came to teach at EHS in 2017 and teaches 10th Grade World History II. Michael is also the Head Coach for the Boys and Girls Cross Country team, Assistant Track Coach, Assistant 12th Grade Dean, and part of the Model UN. Probably not a surprise to most, Michael enjoys running and visiting State and National Parks in his free time.

What’s on your playlist?

Everything on Cross Country Practice Playlist (Lucky Dube, Springsteen, DJ Khaled, Sia, Wale, Meek Mill, DMX).

What was the first concert you attended?

John Legend at the Houston Rodeo.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you pick for a career?

United Nations government official.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My mom coming from Uganda to Houston to live with me.

Do you have a favorite app or tech gadget?

Garmin Clipboard and EdPuzzle.

Did you have a mentor growing up who inspired your career?

Jerry Martinez, my former coach and the current Cross Country Coach at Lamar High School.

If you could travel back in time, what period of history would you choose?

I would love to witness the time of Mansa Musa 1200s‑1300s and see how he was able to build his empire in Mali, one of the wealthiest and largest empires in the continent of Africa and the world during that time.

What do you most respect about your colleagues?

Their intelligence and commitment to perfect their crafts in the classroom as well as the extracurricular activities they are involved in on campus with our students.

What do you most respect about your students?

Their support for each other across all Four Pillars, especially during Chapel when one of them gets up to speak and participate in the service.

Read any good books recently?

Daniels’ Running Formula by Jack Daniels.

If you could eat only one meal this week, what would it be? Breakfast: Honey Bunches of Oats cereal with almond milk.