By Beau Peterlin ’10 and
Alex Stanley ’12
THE ROUNDUP

Where are you from?

Chicago, Ill., originally.

What was it like growing up with Walter Payton, Mike Ditka, Barack Obama and Kanye West?

It was pretty good. Kanye West used to steal my lunch money in school, but Walter Payton was actually one of my childhood heroes when I was growing up.

What did you do at Boston College?

I went to class, made a lot of friends that I still have today, I worked in the Office of First Year Experience and I explored the great Italian food in the north end of Boston.

Sources say you are a huge Cubs fan, is that true?

That is categorically untrue. This interview is over.

Do you think they will ever win the World Series?

I think they will, eventually. I think they have too much pressure on them.

Why did you move to Arizona?

I was sent here for a nonprofit teaching organization after college. This was the city I was assigned, but I knew I wanted to get out of the snow.

We’ve heard that you are not very competitive, is that true?

It is true, I don’t really care about winning or losing, I play for the love of the game.

Sources say that you and Mr. Hooten are inseparable, is that true as well?

Well, he’s not here right now, so that should answer the question.

What do you do when you are not teaching?

I like to read, watch and play sports, and listen to music. Unfortunately, I spend too much time grading papers or thinking about teaching.

Why are you a teacher?

I wanted to have a job where each day is a little bit different, and where I could leave each day knowing how I impacted somebody or how I accomplished something.

When did you decide to sport facial hair?

I started sporting facial hair a couple years ago, when Kyle Orton became the Bears’ starting quarterback. He was known for his grotesque neck beard, and when he received criticism for playing poorly, I decided to grow a beard in solidarity with him.

Do you have any nicknames?

“Gaimari Safari” is the most popular, for my ability to drive a minibus.

Do you have a motto that you live by?

If I had to choose one, it would be: Think before you speak, speak before you act and act before you die.

What is your favorite grade to teach?

Honestly, seniors are my favorite grade to teach. I feel like I have a better ability to relate and discipline them, as they are a little closer to young men. I also scare freshmen too often.

How is it like being a wrestling coach?

It is a lot of fun. It’s great to share the skills that I learned with our students.

What can students do to get an A in one of your classes?

Turn in all of their homework, study for all of their tests and do not commit any of my pet peeves.

How about Bear’s tickets?

Those could go a long way, but it depends on how good the seats are. If they are on the 50 yard line, we can talk off the record.