Meet Vice Principal Chris Gasteier
In the final segment of our Leadership series, we introduce you to Vice Principal Chris Gasteier.
We have an exceptional leadership team at Buckeye Community School (BCS) who are deeply committed to our mission and to you, the students. We asked Chris to tell us a little about himself, here’s what he had to say…
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Tommy Thompson, my US History teacher in high school. He challenged me. He disagreed with me on occasion. He encouraged me to think for myself and to explore and research for data. He was also my position coach for football. My freshman year at GWU, I took Amtrak to Boston, then hitchhiked to Maine to see him over Spring Break.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator/ principal?
After my sophomore year (1977) at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., I decided to take a year off, travel across the United States and maybe drive my 1956 Oldsmobile down to Mexico to have the interior reupholstered in leather. My uncle told me it could be done for $200. Long story short, I drove to Mexico, then all across the US, and then flew to New Zealand and Australia.
It was during this life journey that I began to develop an answer to the question I was continuously asked, “What are you going to do when you finish college?” On that trip I decided that I would get my BA in History, my favorite course of study, along with a minor in Education. I did and started teaching in 1982, in Ohio, as a Vocational Agriculture Instructor at Perkins High School, my Alma Mater.
How does the BCS mission and vision align with your personal values?
My youngest (of 3) child was diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum at age 5, after years of doctors appointments at numerous hospitals across northern Ohio. Eventually, he was ‘labeled’ as gifted and talented in English and Math, but Socially and Emotionally delayed. In kindergarten, he was suspended 7 times. I have spent the last 16 years trying to help him and others who are labeled or struggle in a public educational environment.
The Buckeye educational model is designed “to go where the students are”. In short, this means developing a relationship with the students that is based on their academic, physical, social and emotional needs.
This model does not try to “jam square pegs into round holes”. The demographics of our student body is reflective of many of the concerns addressing today’s society. We need to offer a positive educational experience to them - supportive and structurally tailored to their needs.
I don’t have all the answers, but I listen to others and try to help pass along some of the possibilities.
What are you looking forward to the most in your role?
I am looking forward to working with the students and staff/administrators this coming year. I feel that my experiences in almost 40 years of public education in Ohio and my personality will be helpful to them having a successful and productive year as we assist students working toward a high school diploma.
What do you do for fun? What else would you like us to know about YOU?
I ride a 1976 Harley Davidson ‘Shovelhead’ motorcycle and I kayak along the NorthCoast with my family. I love to do improvements in my yard and flower gardens. I buy History books in almost every city we visit (Savannah, Georgia, last week). I like to travel, when possible. And this year I purchased a 1975 26’ Lyman Cruisette to venture further out into Lake Erie and its environs.