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 Interview with Mr. Conklin 

 

M: Give us a sketch of your life. 

C: My parents were teachers. I had my uncle for a math teacher and yeah, that’s the only life I ever knew, and I went into the family business.  

M: Why did you decide to become a teacher? 

C: I liked the idea of it. I was always good at the math and frankly didn’t apply myself all that much to go into business with it or in business world with it and I like the life my parents put together the hours they worked the vacations that they worked the overall schedule of it. And if you never leave the idea answering to a bell it doesn’t seem odd. That’s what we do we hear a bell, and we say, “Well it is time to start something”.  

R: Why Wheatland, Mr. Conklin? 

C: Mr.Glass. I worked 3 years at Rush-Henrietta. I worked 2 years at Pennfield. I worked 2 years at Gates.  and I didn’t find a home. I knew Mr. Glass well before I started working here. He knew that there was a math opening and he knew I was looking. He was the one that made sure my application got pulled. So why Wheatland, because Mr. Glass said there was a job, and he would make sure I got an interview.  

M: How long have you been here? 

C: 15 years. 

M: Do you like Wheatland enough to stay for that long? 

C: Oh God yeah, this is by far the best place that I’ve worked. Hands Down. 

M: Why is that? 

C: Because of the size. At Rush-Henrietta at that point had 500 kids in every graduating class. And there was no way to actually get to know them. There was always an unknown face walking by. But here I know everyone’s name before they walk into my classroom for the first time. So, I know their siblings, I know their cousins. And at some point, Mr. Versteeg taught people’s parents. It’s just a community, and I know you guys. Like I want to be around you guys. And I hope you guys don’t mind being around me. Beyond being a teacher though just in big schools you don’t get to know anyone. You teach them and you appreciate them as students. But it is very tough to actually get to know them and appreciate them as students. At Wheatland you can.  

M: Are there any surprising facts about you that your students don’t know? 

C: Oh goodness. That is the other thing about my classroom in general. I tell you guys way more than I should about what I do and where I grew up and ridiculous stories. I am actually trying to think of something I haven’t told you guys in class. But that is the other thing about Wheatland is that you can. It is just a more relaxed situation. Cause we know you guys. Not many students know that my parents own a Christmas tree farm. I worked and helped out there since I was eight. 

 

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