Phil Hoagland is Atherton’s iconic English teacher, wearing suits and bringing students whimsy. As he is retiring this year, enjoy this Q&A where Hoagland talks about his background, inspirations, memories, and testimony.
What got you into teaching?
In the fall of my sophomore year of college, my high school principal and my former theatre teacher asked me to consider returning to Seneca to take the reins of the theatre program. Up to that point, teaching had never entered my mind. I prayed about it, and by the next day, I knew with a profound conviction that God had opened up the path He wanted me to walk. I changed my college course plan to include a couple of education classes and never looked back.
What subjects have you taught?
- Theatre Arts
- History and Appreciation of the Visual and Performing Arts
- English (all grades and levels)
- Speech and Communication
- TV Broadcasting
- AP Literature and Composition
- IB Literature
What universities did you attend?
- B.A. Cum Laude in English and Theatre from Wabash College, 1993
- M.A.T. in English from University of Louisville, 1994
How long have you been teaching (at Atherton and in general)? Where have you taught?
- Seneca High School 1994-2005, 2006-2010
- Doss High School 2010-2015
- Atherton High School 2015-2026
What is your favorite part of teaching?
There is an old Latin proverb, Docendo discimus. “By teaching, we learn.” I have never lost my love of learning; nor have I ever lost the joy of watching students discover things. I think that legacy is inherent in the profession, that most of us do what we do because we were inspired by our own teachers. The desire to pass on the joy of learning is, I think, deeply ingrained in us. There is something ever-wondrous about seeing that “I get it” look on students’ faces. Never gets old.
What is your favorite memory?
The years have woven themselves into a tapestry of memories. I can’t begin to pull out one thread.
Why are you retiring?
I have devoted my life to teaching, but last year I had a very strong sense that this part of my calling has been fulfilled, and that a new one will soon be issued. This coincides with the fact that I have reached the age and service thresholds to begin drawing my pension. Things in my life have aligned. I have always had a strong foundation of Christian faith, but my desire to study Scripture has been intensely magnified over the last year and a half as critical Biblical prophecies have been unfolding.
What are your feelings on retiring from teaching?
Beyond making the necessary arrangements, I’ve tried to avoid thinking about it. I want to stay focused on my students until the very end. One thing does occupy my mind, though. I have known nothing but the rhythm of the school calendar since the age of six. Adapting to a schedule not segmented into grading periods and semesters could be amusing.
What are your plans for after retirement?
I don’t yet have a set direction, but I think I am interested in pursuing a second career in carpentry. I also would like to devote more time to my Biblical studies and to some neglected hobbies such as calligraphy and playing the drums.
Do you have any final encouraging words (or words in general) to your students?
Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” It’s true. I’m a living testimony.
Words From Mr Hoagland’s Students
Lydia French (12) took Hoagland’s IB Junior HL English class last year. French admires Hoagland’s commitment to preparing students for the real world.
“Hoagland has created a curriculum that focuses on the benefit of the student rather than just what the school expects us to learn. He gives us skills that prepare us for going into the real world. He has spent time helping us cultivate skills, or how to use grammar and speak more formally. I think definitely for our generation, we speak in a way that is not necessarily grammatically correct or informal. It is important that we’ve cultivated the life skills to speak with formal communication skills especially, as young adults. Whether planning to pursue higher education or going into the workforce, that’s an area of our schooling (and I’m sure many people would agree) that has failed us so it’s a comfort knowing that Hoagland has taken time to fill the holes,” Lydia French says.
Simon Boice (12) met Hoagland in his IB SL English class last year. Boice has also been impacted by Hoagland’s sincere passion for teaching.
“You can tell that he genuinely cares about his students and their educational journey but also just general life skills. A lot of teachers just assume that if you don’t know some basic things you’re just too far gone to learn them, but Mr.Hoagland will go back and re-teach those things to create a more solid foundation to build upon. He actually had created a whole unit that was not necessarily in the curriculum to go over that and re-teach it to everybody. You can tell that he genuinely cares about learning and having important skills that they don’t necessarily teach anymore,” Boice says.
While he will miss Hoagland, Boice wishes him only the best.
“I am very happy for him to be retiring so early. I hope that he’s able to return to some of his hobbies like theatre now that he will have more time. He and his talent for teaching will definitely be missed, but I’m happy for him and I wish him all the best,” says Boice.
The Aerial wishes Mr. Hoagland a happy retirement!
