(SIOUX CITY, IA) In Anthony Gaul's science class, laughter and learning go hand in hand.
He teaches at Sioux City's West Middle school, and his message of mentoring others and his technique of finding ways to make it fun is a hit with students, administration, and everyone else he helps in his hometown, just a few miles down the road. All of that makes him a KMEG 14 Hometown Hero.
Learning about earthquakes is a team effort in this class, thanks to the coach with a winning game plan. A self-proclaimed overgrown 12 year old, Anthony Gaul just wants his students to be successful. If you ask around, he has that down to a science.
"He takes it personally that every child in his classroom will excel and do the best that he can, but he does that because he makes learning so much fun," says Cindy Washinowski, Principal at West Middle School.
And the sky is the limit. He's one of the people who got West Middle School on the NASA Explorer School List, he's taken students to the Kennedy Space Center and inspired others with creative curriculum.
"He loves what he does. He's passionate about kids, he's passionate about science, and he just is a great educator," says Principal Washinowski.
When asked how he does it, he told us why instead. "It's fun to help other people," says Gaul.
He applies that same philosophy outside the classroom. Anthony also volunteers by fighting fires in his hometown of Sgt. Bluff.
"I got started with the fire department as a senior in High School," says Gaul.
Now, 20 years later, he takes what he has learned and teaches other to put out fires. One day a month, he leaves his science class to develop and test run the district's emergency plans.
"It's a rewarding experience to be able to help other people in the community and to give back," says Gaul.
He only hopes to pass it on.
Anthony was very quick to share the credit for his teaching success. He told us a teacher he had growing up in Sgt. Bluff was his inspiration, and the team of educators he works with every day at West Middle make a big difference.
If you would like to nominate a Hometown Hero, click here to visit the Hometown Heroes section of our website.
