I want parents to know that their children are in good hands and that we are taking safety extremely important, especially in the Technology Education area.  I try to be practical and connect our activities with “real world” experiences. ”

Sam Goettl

Sam Goettl, the newest Technology Education Teacher at Stanley-Boyd, has lived in the area for his entire life having grown up just a few miles west of Stanley.  After graduating from UW-Stout in 2006, Goettl married his wife, Kim, who is an Art Teacher at Stanley-Boyd, and they bought a hobby farm about nine miles away from Stanley where they live with their four boys and raise a few beef cattle and chickens. Goettl shares that if he wasn’t a teacher, farming may have been his next choice as he has “always loved farming.”

For Goettl, family is a huge priority. “The biggest reason I came to Stanley-Boyd is that it would allow me to share the same schedule as my wife and kids.”

When asked how his sons feel about having their Dad work at their school, Goettl says, “I think my boys are happy with me here, but now they know for sure that they can’t get away with anything.” 

As a former Stanley-Boyd alumni, Goettl has the unique chance to experience Stanley-Boyd School as a former student, parent, and now as a teacher. With his own four children attending Stanley-Boyd, Goettl understands how parents feel. But as a teacher, he hopes that parents know that he has the students’ best in mind.  “I want parents to know that their children are in good hands and that we are taking safety extremely important, especially in the Technology Education area.  I try to be practical and connect our activities with “real world” experiences.  It is my goal to help their children find a career that they are going to be successful in.”

It was in his junior year of high school that Goettl realized that he wanted to become a teacher and inspire students. “I kind of picked on my Tech. Ed. teachers (Mr. Lingen and Mr. Geer) that they had the easiest jobs around.  Well, karma has come around a few times and made me wish that I wouldn’t have said that to them.” He mentions that teaching isn’t one sided, but his students have taught him many things as well. “They influence my teaching style.  They have kept me up-to date on technological advances,” he explains.  

The role of a teacher is not always easy and can include many challenges including a hectic schedule and public scrutiny. He describes,“I wish that people knew that teachers are in this profession for the betterment of our youth.  This may not be a very physically demanding career, but it has its mental fatigue.  It’s not a punch in and punch out career.  There is always planning, phone calls, meetings, and extra duties.  You can’t just call in sick if you are sick.  You need to have plans ready for a substitute and 80-90 students for that day.”

Goettl mentions that his hardest challenge in teaching technology education is his competition with the student’s parents or guardians.  He explains, “Many students have the mind set of “this is how we do it at home.”  So, the challenge is to get the students to understand that there may be more than that “one” way to do things.  I’m not saying parents are incorrect at all, just that students should try to be open minded, and they may find some new techniques.”

This mindset has also helped him to learn new ways to do things, from the student’s inputs.

Goettl played football as a Stanley-Boyd Oriole under Coaches Brinker, LaFlamme, Hebert, Walters, Forster, Marrow and Trunkel and now shares his expertise and learning as a coach. His long coaching career began when he started coaching his brothers when one was in flag football and the other was in 8th grade.

“I came back from college that fall and was able to help coach the 8th grade team.  Once I got my first job in Thorp, I volunteered for the varsity football team for three years, and then I was able to be the head coach for Thorp’s middle school team for another three years.”

While he may have enjoyed his time coaching in Thorp, Goettl’s loyalty was with Stanley-Boyd. “I just loved the game, especially for Stanley-Boyd.  I always told my Thorp students that I bleed orange.”

Shortly after, a flag football season started up again with Stanley-Boyd joining, and Goettl was able to start coaching his own sons. “And now here I am volunteering on the middle school team,” he remarks. Goettl hopes to continue his coaching career at Stanley-Boyd having coached not only football but a few of his sons’ little league baseball teams as well.

“My own boys seem to be really active in sports, so if I’m going to the games, I might as well step up and try to coach.”

Goettl enjoys all age levels of coaching but says that middle school is probably the biggest challenge.  He explains, “Coaches are trying to teach fundamentals, competitiveness, and so much more, while trying to keep the kids excited about the game and to keep them looking forward to their high school career.” 

Goettl shares his insights, “I’ve learned a lot from being on all sides of the ball, from player, to coach, to a spectator.”  He continues that while the game can be seen at many different levels, it is the easiest to judge as a spectator. However, once one puts themselves in the players or coaches’ shoes, viewpoints change. 

“Probably the biggest thing that I learned, is to stay as open-minded as possible and don’t point the finger,” he concludes adding that this is his favorite time of year.

“My favorite season is coming up with watching the Oriole football team on Friday nights, the Badgers on Saturday, and the Packers on Sunday.  I also love to be in the woods as much as possible whether it’s making trails, cutting firewood, and especially deer hunting.” 

And while Goettl enjoys football, he hopes his students don’t make the same mistake he did.

“I only played football in high school.  But I encourage the students to pursue any extracurricular activities, especially sports.  That is one thing I wish I could change when I was in high school.  Get involved!”

And while Goettl encourages his students to expand their horizons, he tends to be choosy when it comes to his favorite food. “I am a pretty picky eater, but I feel I’m trying some new things,” he says.  “A good old hamburger is probably at the top or my list, but if it were something just to tie me over it would be pizza rolls.”

Goettl is looking forward to getting to know the students and staff of Stanley-Boyd this year. “I enjoy creating relationships and a rapport with students. You can pretty much find something in common with the students and it can grow from there.”

He adds, “This was the place that inspired me to go into the educational field, so it is nice to have the chance to give back. I am excited to be a part of the Stanley-Boyd team.  Go Orioles!”