Gary Bartlett

• Position: Dual credit government and government teacher 
• Degrees & Alma Mater: Bachelors in history and political science and master in education
• Years at Caney Creek: 1 
• Years Teaching: 22

How would other people describe you?   

Friendly and fair. 

Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching. 

Teaching in general but teaching college class was my main goal. I had been in politics. I had worked on Capitol Hill for seven years, and I worked in a presidential administration as a political appointee. I got married, my wife had our first child, and my parents were not around when I was young, so I wanted to be there for my kids. So I knew the political world I had to leave because it was an 80 hour a week job. And so I went into teaching because it’s substantially less hours, and we have summer off, and so I compete with my kids.

What do you do outside of school for fun? Why? 

I watch a lot of football mostly college football, I really like the sport 

When people get to know you, what are they most surprised to learn about you? 

Most probably the experiences I’ve had, both the good and bad.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

Believe it or not the birth of my 3 children they have profoundly changed my life. 

Who is someone you are thankful for and why?

My wife without a doubt , there’s no other woman in the world who would put up with me and she loves me and I love her.

What advice would you give to someone pursuing a career similar to yours?

Go to college. Have fun, but take it seriously. Make good grades. Making good grades and being serious about it makes your life easier, but don’t neglect to have some fun along the way too. And you have to have a passion for teaching. Nobody gets into teaching for money. It’s because you love kids, you love the material you’re teaching. And it energizes me every day to wake up and come to school.

What do you hope to be remembered for? 

I was a good husband and a good father and a teacher that influenced a lot of kids.

What’s on your bucket list?

Never really thought about that too much. I don’t know if I had to pull something, probably some more traveling to countries I’ve never been to like Italy.

Favorites

• Food: Mexican food
• Movie: “Star Wars” 
• Book: “1984” By George Orwell