Robert Katz, one of TJ’s finest, is soon embarking upon a well earned retirement.
Photo by Heather Larson.
For many students, whether they enjoy a class or not highly depends not just upon the subject matter, but upon the teacher, as well. For many high school graduates within the past 36 years, they will remember Robert Katz as one of their most memorable and favorite teachers. However, at the end of this year, new students will have the pleasure of having Katz as a teacher, as he is retiring at the end of the school year.
Katz says that after transferring to TJ four years ago from Hamilton Middle School, it was a blessing to have the welcome and support of TJ to help the tough transition. “I had not been a special education teacher for such a long time that I was not used to the paperwork and responsibilities. The entire TJ faculty was unbelievably welcoming, supportive, and helpful. Rachael Almond definitely deserves a special recognition, though, because she took me under her wing and taught me how to do it right.”
Katz says that TJ has almost become a second home for him, as he is here so many hours each week. However, he said he also has a life outside of TJ that he enjoys taking full advantage of, such as spending time with his family, enjoying the great outdoors, and planning what his life is going to look like after he is not involved with high school every day. “I feel like once I leave TJ, I will finally have the time to do all the things I don’t have time for now, such as the little things in life. Something I want to do every single morning – but at this point I can’t because I have to be at school so early – is waking up late, getting a cup of coffee, and taking as much time as I want to read the newspaper. I am excited to have the time to read the paper.”
Along with the privilege of being able to sleep in late, comes a long day just awaiting the demands of Katz and what he feels appropriately fits the day’s agenda. Number one on that list: spend more time with the family. Katz has a wife and two high school kids and is very eager to get to spend more time with them. “I remember the first year I began teaching here at TJ, I took my kids with me to the homecoming game, and I had a blast. It was so fun for my kids and I, and I already knew so many students attending the game, so it was probably one of the best experiences that TJ has provided me with.”
As far as getting away from everything in his everyday life, Katz says he is absolutely ecstatic that he is now going to have the opportunity to travel more often and for more extended periods of time. Katz has spent time traveling all throughout the U.S. and the world, and he is now ready to get out and continue his journeys throughout. As of today, Katz has declared some of his favorite places to be are the Florida Keys and the beach in California. “I remember one week for spring break I went to California and I decided, ‘Let’s go surfing!’ and sure enough by the end of the week I was up on a surf board, surfing. Now, I won’t say I was good, but I could ride a full wave into shore!”
Another favorite memory that Katz has from his traveling experiences is one which he believes everyone should see. There is a ferry that runs between New Jersey and New York and goes right past the Statue of Liberty. Not only was this experience something Katz greatly enjoyed, but he got to experience it at night when the whole city was lit up and glittered as he cruised by. “It was life changing,” Katz said.
Katz says his future travel plans are endless. His goal is to see an infinite list of places with his wife, many of which have reasons behind them – as to their choice as a vacation spot – and Katz is ready to experience as much as he can. “I want to see everywhere in the U.S. This is my country and I want to know it. But outside of America I dream of seeing Israel and Venice, Italy. Israel has a lot of religious importance behind it to me, and Italy and Venice look beautiful, and the musical inspiration within them is outstanding.”
Katz knows that much of his time will be spent traveling and spending time with family, but what will he be doing on a daily basis while his wife is at work and his kids are at school? As he calls himself, he is a “putzer.” He enjoys tinkering around the house and fixing anything that needs to be repaired. “It’s all those little jobs that never get done because there is never the time, that are now going to take up my free time; that and being outdoors and driving my car.” Katz has a ’69 Camaro convertible that, when he has the free time, he is greatly looking forward to driving around town with the top down and the wind blowing through his hair. Also, as far as being outdoors, Katz thoroughly enjoys everything about it. He said he does pretty much anything that involves going outside and being active. “I love to fly fish, I bike everywhere, I’ve surfed, snorkeled, sky dived, scuba dived…pretty much anything: you name it, and I’ve done it.”
Throughout his many years of teaching, Katz explains that he has loved every minute of it. Before teaching at TJ, Katz taught middle school and said he enjoyed the experience very much. A 2007 TJ graduate, Paden Cooper, says that Katz was a “hoot” to have as a teacher. “My favorite memory of Mr. Katz was the ‘finger pistol’ lesson, teaching us about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and he ran around the entire room reenacting the event. It sounds crazy, but obviously if I remember it, it was taught well and helped me learn.”
Katz proclaims that he has many thoughts on how the students should be properly taught and he has his views on assisting the students. “Most teachers guide their students along the way, helping them get through the year day by day. I try to learn about the students’ strengths and help them use them to their advantage, and get them prepared for the future in that way.” According to current TJ Sophomore Alyssa Williams, who has Katz as her teacher for her Resource Study Skills, Katz most certainly lives up to his own set expectations of his classroom. “He is my support system almost; I know I can go to him for any help I need, and he really is the most helpful teacher I have ever had.”
As Katz’s time at TJ is slowly winding down, he is only keeping his thoughts positive and his head held high. “I want to go out on a positive note. I want to teach just how I always have up until the very last day, and I want to be happy as I leave knowing that I have helped the students succeed. As a teacher you can’t ask for more than to just see students accomplish their goals, get good grades, and graduate. That is the real reason for being a teacher: to help others succeed.”
