Interview with Mr. Sacco and Mr. Cockrell

By Jakub Diakonowicz ’23

Teachers have another life; if that information is shocking then what is below will be more. Students mostly know them because they are teaching them some sort of class. We get mad at them, we expect them to grade our things quickly, etc, but we forget that they are allowed to live their lives too. I got the honor of interviewing two faculty members: Mr. Sacco, and Mr. Cockrell. When I was interviewing them I asked various questions to which I got different answers; some of which were straightforward, and others unexpected.

Why did you choose Hebron?

Mr. Sacco - “I didn't, I had never seen the campus. I hadn't really heard of it until I was looking for jobs. I was in a master's program and realized it wasn't for me, at least the project I was on, it wasn't really what I thought it was gonna be. So I realized I always wanted to be a teacher. Cause I had some really good teachers when I was in high school who inspired me. And I realized that the easiest way for me to relocate and move would be looking at boarding schools. So I started looking online and I found Hebron and looked at the campus. It was beautiful, seemed like it had a really cool community and I agreed. The mission statement and looking through the website and everything. So I applied and I saw they were looking for a math teacher. And then they started realizing, I think they were also looking for a physics teacher as well. So I sort of filled both gaps a little bit and it was nice. And when I finally arrived on campus, I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't surprised cause I had some pictures of Hebron, but very impressed. J- I don’t know about you guys but going to a job blinded seems kind of crazy, but well every physics teacher is like that Mr. Cockrell - “I was very anxious to get back to boarding. Like I had been at teaching in other boarding schools, and then I left that and I went back to grad school. And then after grad school, I needed a job and I knew it would be in teaching. And I just knew that, other than just teaching the content, I needed to be in a place where we do things like the event tonight, the installation where it's a community thing, right? I love hanging out in the dorm, like meeting the kids and the students. I love coaching hockey. I wanted a place where I could do everything. You know, they call it the triple threat. You teach, you live in the dorm, and you do some activities, and that's a whole lifestyle. And I really like that lifestyle.” J- Honestly, Mr. Cockrell is right; Hebron is a triple threat both for students and teachers.

Mr. Sacco

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What is your favorite song at parties?

Mr. Sacco - “When I was in college, I would always, not seriously, but as a joke, I would always request “Fireflies” by Owl. That was a big song when I was in high school, it was always fun to bring it back. Another one was “All the Small Things” by Blink 182. That was a classic, kind of like a jumpy song.” Mr. Cockrell - “I like listening to Paul Simon songs, like when they come on, those come naturally to me. So Paul Simon's song, Koda Chrome.” J- I think for us it’s a whole different world compared to what we dance to know, it’s not a big age gap, but still visible. Mr. Cockrell

What would be the students surprised to find out about you?

Mr. Sacco - “When I was younger, my hair was short and straight. Yep. It was straight hair. It was blonde and I kept it short. Oh. And now it's long brown and curly. But I honestly am an open book…" Mr. Cockrell - “ I feel like sometimes my age, they always say, Oh my God, you’re 30. Because of my youthful features. I try to be pretty open, you know, I find like the only way I can really be a good community member is to really be myself. So I don't hold a lot back.” J- When you see Mr. Sacco or Mr. Cockrell ask them any questions you want. If they really are open books, they will answer you.

What is your biggest regret? / What is your biggest mess-up moment?

Mr. Sacco - “My biggest regret... That's tough. I try to live life with no regrets. I try to never look back thinking what if? My biggest regret is that I wish I played more sports in high school. It’s the one I can think of right now. I'm sure I have a bigger regret than that. when I think about this in a couple of hours, like, oh, why don't I say that” J- Inspiring, life with no regrets, hard to do but it’s a good look at life. Mr. Cockrell - “I've had tons of mess-up moments. I mean, that's a different question. Like, oh, so many like mess up moments, but that's, that's who you learn... things I remember from high school are just little things.” J- Wow, this is kind of avoiding the questions but I think it’s okay, even if you mess up, move on from it by learning.

What is your advice for students?

Mr. Sacco - “I'd say like, be honest, be true to yourself. and yeah, it's one of those things where you get out of it what you put into it.” Mr. Cockrell - “Be able to fight for yourself and like, be open to, for new stuff, open to new stuff. And don't be afraid to be alone with your thoughts.”