Do you know Gary Santolla? Santolla, originally from Virginia, is a teacher here at Greenbrier East. He is also an army colonel who holds a doctorate in education. Santolla has been teaching school for a while. He has taught math for 15 years, and at earlier points in his post-army career, he taught history, science, shop, and agriculture. He even drove a school bus for a while.

Col. Santolla is a combat veteran who served 37 years in the U.S. Army. He told me that “military life” was very structured: basically all planned out for you. During his service, Santolla married and had two children, a girl and a boy, before he divorced. He has been married to his current love, Nancy, for 33  years in June. When asked what his favorite place is that he traveled to while in the military he said, “I can’t just pick one,” but said that Germany and Italy were high on the list. He described the Vietnam War as a very different experience.

Col. Santolla told me his favorite school lunch would have to be the “Holiday Special,” and when I asked him what his favorite part about teaching is, he said that it is trying to make a difference in every kid’s life, and to show kids there is more out there in this world than only working a minimum wage job for your whole life.