INTERVIEW WITH GARY LOTRECK

Samira:   This is your last dad joke. Make it count!

Lotreck:   I was accused of plagiarism in this article; their words, not mine. HA!

Samira:   Reflecting on your career, what were the most valuable life lessons you learned?

Lotreck:   All people didn't grow up like me. The structure I had is not the same type that others have. Everyone does the best they can with what they have. Nobody wakes up trying to be the worst version of themselves. You have to make an effort to understand people. Everyone has a story and my job is to understand that story and best support that person. 

Samira:   What helped you get through the challenging times of working in a high school, and what was your biggest support system?

Lotreck:   I always wanted to get better and that kept me fresh and excited about teaching and now, as Dean of Students.  I also had teacher friends who shared the same interest in ambition, working hard, and being an effective teacher which helped me, especially during my early years of teaching. Stepping back and taking a break was a very helpful tool that I experienced with those same teachers; we were colleagues and became friends. 

Samira:   Can you describe a connection with a student or colleague that had a lasting impact on you? How did it shape your professional career or your personal life?

Lotreck:   Back when I was volunteering at a homeless shelter in Hartford with my Community Service Club, I had a new student - a younger boy who was also volunteering. We got into a conversation and I found out that he was living in a homeless shelter himself. It really stuck with me because even though he was going through his own predicament he gave back to others. This shaped me to always do for others as best I can.  He was my role model.

Samira:   We have pillars in our school, like duty and honor, with the hope of representing a certain essence or culture. What are the pillars of being a dean you represented all these years?

Lotreck:   I would say compassion. Along with everything I  said earlier, I believe every interaction that I had should have been led with compassion and those that did had a positive lasting impact, and when I didn't treat situations with that compassion I went back and apologized. I would lash out and be angry but as I grew as a teacher and a Dean, so did my compassion. I'm still working on it. It is my life’s mission. 

Samira:   If you could give a final word or last piece of advice to our senior class and the rest of the students, past, present and future, what would it be?

Lotreck:   Be present and enjoy the moment

Samira:   Reflect on your life.

Lotreck:   You can't do everything alone. I've had normal ups and downs. I have had a blessed life.

Thank you for sharing this with us, Lotreck. When you look back on the past 35-plus years, we are looking with you. You have collected so many stories and affected so many lives. You have dedicated your career and your own life to, as you say, "always do for others." And though you are moving on to the next stage, your legacy and the gratitude we have for all you have done will remain. 

Finally, in honor of the king of dad jokes: what do you call a retired superhero? A super senior.

Lotreck:   Knock knock…

Come on, Lotreck, it’s time to go…