Have you ever wondered what it would be like to learn physics and aeronautics in high school from a physicist educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who has worked in underground labs around the world collecting particles of atoms and detecting neutrinos? Maryknoll students can answer that question very easily because the teacher they affectionately call “Dr. G” fits the description above perfectly.
Born and raised in Japan, Dr. G. graduated from high school at American School in Japan with the hope of studying physics or math in college. Dr. G. attended Pamona College to study physics, but he did not feel challenged by what he was learning there and applied soon after to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study physics. Although Dr. G. felt for the first time like he was an average student in most of his classes, he continued to excel in school. When he completed his undergraduate degree in physics at MIT, he immediately wanted to become a high school teacher; however, he was influenced by many others to become a researcher and eventually attained his Ph. D. from Michigan University.
Dr. G’s career soon sent him around the world. He conducted research at the Fermi Laboratory in Chicago maintaining a shutter mechanism that collects particles of atoms. He then continued his research as a Research Associate at the University of Maryland. Later, he worked in an underground lab in an old zinc mine in Japan detecting neutrinos in water. He was then hired briefly by the University of Hawaii to study cosmic rays and later worked underground again in a Canadian copper mine doing more research. After traveling so many miles working in various countries and states, Dr. G. finally made the decision to follow his heart and become a teacher by moving back to Hawaii and attaining his teaching certification.
When it was time for Dr. G. to make a decision about what school to teach at, Maryknoll School was one of the few willing to provide him that opportunity. After four years of teaching at Maryknoll, he is very happy with his decision to be at Maryknoll because he feels that Maryknoll School is serious about making teachers better and provides many opportunities for professional development. He also appreciates the relationships shared between teachers at Maryknoll and sees much potential in the students he teaches.
Like the Maryknoll Sisters who gave up much to serve others around the world, Dr. G. believes wealth does not always lead people to happiness. Instead, seeing students grow to become human beings that make a difference in society is what brings him joy. Thank you Dr. G. for living “Noblesse Oblige” by sharing your talents with our Maryknoll students as their physics and aeronautics teacher.