Sioux City, Iowa - Gary Hoklin is a very good patient. As he started his 14th year subbing in Sioux City Community Schools this year, he was simply following his doctor’s orders.
“My doctor said that if you don’t feel stressed, it’s a great job,” says Gary with a laugh.
Gary isn’t only a sub. He’s a teacher with a lifelong passion for the classroom. When he retired from West High School in 2009 after 36 years of teaching, he took off a few months before he realized that something was missing. He missed the people. By January of that year, he had returned as a substitute teacher.
It’s almost challenging to do the math because Gary has been teaching for so long, however, all totaled, the Sioux City Central High alum has been teaching in the District for an incredible 51 years.
“A lot has changed during my career. It’s considerably different. We went from lecturing and small group discussion to PowerPoint presentations and now Canvas,” adds Gary. “Attendance and classroom management have always been important.”
Before life took Gary to the classroom, it took him on a bit of a journey. While he loved history – a passion he shared with an uncle, Gary went a different route, attending chiropractic school in Minneapolis after high school graduation. He opened a small practice in Yankton, South Dakota, once he earned his chiropractic degree. When the Vietnam War broke out, Gary – who served for 30 years in the National Guard – sold his chiropractic business and went off to Vietnam.
When he returned a few months later, Gary decided he was going to pursue something he really loved. He attended the University of South Dakota, earning a degree in history. In 1973, he began his career at West High School.
Ironically, the rest, as they say, is history. Gary has been in the classroom ever since.
He’s even managed to teach some of his family members during his career. His daughter enrolled in one of his history classes, and he occasionally sees his granddaughter, a current West High School student, when he subs at West High. Another granddaughter is an eighth grader at West Middle School, and Gary intends to be subbing next year when she moves to West High.
“My wife asks if I am ever going to retire,” says Gary, whose wife Connie worked in the library at Irving Dual Language Elementary School. “I just enjoy coming to school. It keeps me healthy.”
He also enjoys seeing his friends each day. Some of the teachers that Gary had as students have already retired from teaching. The thought of it makes Gary smile.
“There have been so many teachers over the years who have been great friends. It’s more than a job. It’s pure enjoyment,” says Gary. “My doctor said to keep going, so I’m taking his advice.”