Speaking of school, this summer I was in the grocery store when I saw my gym teacher, Mr. Davidson. It was weird seeing him there. I didn't know Mr. Davidson shopped! I guess I never thought about my teachers having lives outside of school. And that got me thinking, maybe other teachers have lives outside the classroom, too. I decided to interview two teachers from my school and learn some interesting facts about them. Take a look into the secret lives of teachers!

Mr. Meltsner

I know he's only a substitute, but Mr. Meltsner was one of the only teachers around when I did my research. Mr. Meltsner volunteers at school as needed, mainly in the computer department. He's still learning the best way to “serve the educational system,” but most of the students like having him around.

Dr. Hawthorne

We know him as the ultrastrict history professor. Personally, he scares me. Once I was late to class because my collar got stuck in my locker door (it's a long story), and he gave me two options to redeem myself: One, I could spend two days in detention. Two, I could memorize the names, in order of office, of all the U.S. presidents. I learned Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, er, Roosevelt . . . and then decided to take the detention.

But once you get to know Dr. Hawthorne, he's not so bad. Check out these facts:

Favorite childhood memory: “Flying kites in Austria with my stepbrother, Sven.”
Favorite way to spend a weekend: “Skydiving with my mother.”
He describes himself as: “Serious . . . but I get silly after 10 p.m.”

Hobbies: “Collecting stamps, coins and napkins.”

I guess you never really know a person until you take the time to get to know him. Happy new school year!

—A.J.