A: What is your name? Can you spell it please?

Q: My name is Wayne Houle and its spelled W-A-Y-N-E  H-O-U-L-E

Q: What classes do you teach?

A: I teach AP World History as well as ESL World History.

Q: How long have you been teaching?

A: I have been teaching for 8 years.

Q: So let’s just get right into it. What got you into teaching? What made you want to become a teacher?

A: It’s interesting, actually. It was 911, when 911 happened. I was a plumber for many, many, many years. When 911 happened. I just wanted to do something that I felt was more saving the world, right? than plumbing. So it was 911 that really put me back in college the second time to get my degree.

Q: Do you think there are others who influenced you? Do you think your parents helped you?

A: Oh, my parents have always been supportive of anything I wanted to do. But yeah, certainly they did. Yeah, they supported me.

Q: And, when you went back to college, it was just to help other people and to help kids, right?

A: Yeah, it’s trite as that can sound right. It really was that kind of thing. Yeah. Yeah, it’s true. I like helping people. Especially after 911. Yeah.

Q: Okay. And so, were you always interested in like, AP world history?

A: Oh, yeah, history, philosophy. All the social studies. Yeah, I’m a big social studies fan. That is why I moved into that field? I’m a big fan of it.

Q: You liked it during school as well?

A: Oh, yeah. I wouldn’t want to teach anything than social studies. I think science is pretty cool too, but yeah, I love world history, US history, geography, I love it all.

Q: Is there one in particular that made you love history so much?

A: Probably Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, those were my first loves, you know. I love mythology, the pyramids in Egypt. It was kind of the usual stuff. But then, of course, you start digging deeper, you get into the philosophies of the Greeks and stoicism in Rome, these things and you go deeper. And then of course, you end up liking it all. Because everywhere is fascinating. And every time is fascinating. And I’m still learning. I’m more of a history student than a teacher, I’m still learning. And every day kids will ask me questions and I don’t know the answer, because there’s so much history to know. But I’m always pleased to know more and I’m continuing to learn.

Q: So, you enjoyed history both inside and outside of school?

A: Oh, yes. Absolutely. Constantly reading about it.

Q: I see. And so what’s the best thing you like about being a teacher? I already know you like to help the kids, especially after the 911 incident, but is there anything in particular you really enjoy about being a teacher?

A: Yeah, there’s a couple of things that strike me right away from your question. Of course, there are a lot of answers to this right but I love the light bulb that goes off over a kid’s head when they understand something. You know when they get the answer or something heavy and it’s almost that eureka moment where you see it on their face. I love that and I also just love the human connections that are made. I enjoy being with people and enjoy being with students and other teachers. I like the environment. The whole thing appeals to me, but most of all, it’s the light bulb, that eureka moment. You’ll see a student and you go home really pleased

Q: Were you also this way in school when you were a student?

A: No, no, no!

Q: You didn’t like school?

A: No. Well, I shouldn’t say that. I was more of a social animal in high school, but when I went back to college to do this, you know much later in my life in my 30s, it was a different thing. I took things seriously. But, I was mostly playing in rock and roll bands and you know worrying about the girls. Academically, I never had a problem, so it was kind of easy. I think it’s all too easy and the systems didn’t notice that I probably should be in some, some, not math, my god, I need help in math, but in some higher academic classes that I wasn’t placed in so I was kind of bored a lot of the time. Teachers always have to watch out for that.

Q: Okay. And you’re from Sharpstown correct? Yes,

A: I taught at Sharpstown. Yes.

Q: Do you think like Bellaire is a lot different? Is it bigger?

A: Yes. Bellaire is huge. And I still do not know how to get to the bathroom. And I don’t know how many stairwells we have. It’s massive, it’s massive, and I’m not used to 265 or so teachers that I don’t know. All of that is daunting immediately, right?

Q: Do you feel like the new student?

A: Yeah, a little bit. Yeah. And kids ask me “where’s this?” I don’t know. I don’t know. You find out and tell me. But if you’re talking about difference in people, no. Kids or kids. Kids are kids and humans are humans and they need support and love and you know, all the things that we have to provide. The differences, or I will say this, the differences are far less than people would imagine.

Q: So you think that all the schools around HISD are the same? Would you say?

A: I would say it’s difficult to say. My experience hasn’t I don’t have experience with all the schools. I can speak about these two. Certainly. And then a school down in, gosh, I can’t remember right, down in Brazil sport. I’d say that people are people and they remain the same. Or, don’t, and then you have to encourage them. Right? Light that fire but I’m having a great time here. Put it that way.

Q: Do you think you’ve change anyway? I know you’ve only been here for a few days. But it’s bigger, obviously. But as you told me the people don’t change. Do you think you’ve changed?

A: I suppose it’s difficult to say because as a teacher, you sort of you have to be aware of the people in your room, right. So it changes class by class. So just to say, I’ve changed simply because of Bellaire. But I will say this, I think over time, yeah, there will be change. And if there is no change, there is something wrong with me. I think you should be improving yourself every time. And if I’m not doing that, somebody smack me. I have to improve. And I think Bellaire is a wonderful place for a teacher to have that opportunity. There’s a lot of support here for teachers. Very interesting to be a teacher here. I’m very grateful, very grateful for the opportunity. I’m enjoying it very much.

Q: Is there anything, like a word or an image, that comes to mind throughout your entire teaching career?

A: Wow, not one. But I would say there are moments that I remember, right? I remember, for instance, a little girl that I had in a class. Wonderful, wonderful girl, she wanted to go to college. She’s brilliant girl, of course, yes, wanted be a veterinarian. And I had Saturday tutorials that day, and I remember going up to my room, and she was sitting outside the door crying, and she told me her mother had told her she wasn’t going to go to college, because she had to go to work with her and boy, in that moment, what do you do as a teacher? Because her parent has given, was that a directive? I thought “no”. And I said “No, you’re going to go to college, and we’re going to help you go to college.” And we’re going to get that and she, I think I was a partner, many teachers helped her. I think I was a part of that though. And she end up getting a scholarship and this and that and she’s at A&M right now. And I think that moment, of course, there are many, many moments that I could bring, whereas being a teacher is so rewarding, but that moment will stick with me. There’s no question because, you know, look at what happened, right? Isn’t that a heavy thing? She’s not going to college no, she is going and now she’s making A’s today. Good for her.

Q: Is that what you were looking for when you wanted to become a teacher. That moment right there?

A: Yes.

Q: Just to help anyone?

A: Yes. And I think that the key for me is I have to remain open to see those things. Because so often we can get caught up in what we’re teaching, the material, or excuse me, the skills but as a teacher, you’ve got to get your ego out of your way and you’ve got to see them right. Yeah, so that’s what I’m trying to do, failing sometimes.

Q: But by improving each day, correct?

A: Yeah, for sure.

Q: Is there anything else you would like Bellaire to know about Mr. Houle? Any activities or hobbies?

A: Well, I’ve been an actor. I met my wife Off Broadway in New York. I’m a guitar player, played in bands. I’ve taught philosophy classes, which I wish Bellaire would offer. I taught those. I’m a pretty boring guy.