What did you do before you were a teacher?
Before Mr. Eckel was a teacher, he dabbled in many other fields as well. For instance, due to his primary interest in mathematics, he became an electrical engineer studying aerospace. Mr. Eckel then decided to become a management consultant in New York City. Mr. Eckel then decided that he wanted to work for an electronics company, Samsung, in Korea for three years. “Working in Korea was an amazing experience. But, it was time to come back to America.” That is when Mr. Eckel became a Certified Public Accountant for twenty years before becoming a teacher.
Why did you choose to work at Saddle Brook High School?
“It was the people that drove me to work at Saddle Brook High School.” From the teachers to administrators to students, Mr. Eckel loved the welcoming environment at this high school. “It is a small school, I love the way it is cohesively run.”
What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?
According to Mr. Eckel, there are many excellent factors of becoming a teacher. One, is how “it connects me to the past and the current generation of students.” He also always enjoyed school “for the sake of school” and believed that he can be a great person to help students learn with his experience.
What is different working here than where you have worked in the past?
Saddle Brook is different according to Mr. Eckel because of its culture. “Saddle Brook has a nice, close-knit community of students who are engaged and seeking to improve themselves,” he said. He further explains how this high school has a lot of order and structure. He feels that this school has a safe, welcoming environment that made his transition to the school easy. But above all, he likes the people at this high school. “They have much respect for themselves and each other. Everyone also knows the drill and follows the rules.”
What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not know?
“I love cars,” states Mr. Eckel. Mr. Eckel explains how he “loves to do different DIY projects” with his car and orders different parts online. Besides repairing cars, Mr. Eckel loves to learn as much as he can about them. He watches various shows, goes to car shows, and has conversations with mechanics about cars.
What skills do you offer to your students, and how do these skills help them learn?
Mr. Eckel has had an extensive amount of experience in math, business, and financial literacy. The skills needed in these subjects are essential to teaching his students. However, communication is essential as well “as it creates a connection between the students and myself.”