AP world history teacher John Gore

The Red Ledger: What is your biggest advice for students?

John Gore: Learn good time management skills. If you can do that, I promise you, you can be successful at the next level in college. I want kids to understand I don’t want them to not take school seriously, but I don’t want them to let tests or essays make or break their whole demeanor. Come back more determined, but don’t let it define your self-worth and your self-esteem. Who you are as a person is what defines you. I expect my students to do their best, but I want them to learn from their mistakes. If you can overcome adversity, that’s a life skill, not just an academic skill.

TRL: What do you wish you knew when you were our age?

JG: Sports [are] not that big of a deal. I used to make or break my day based on how I did in baseball. If I had a terrible game and struck out, I’d be down the next day. If I had a great game, I’d be all peppy. It really should not have shaped my life the way I let it. That’s what I wish I knew then that I know now.

TRL: What are some experiences that changed your thinking from when you were a teenager that you think could be helpful for us right now?

JG: There are so many things that teenagers think are so important and will devastate their life. Those aren’t really that big of deals. I usually give kids a speech right before the AP exam, like what’s the worst that could happen on the AP exam. [If] you fail, [do] you think you’re really going to remember that in 10 years? Probably not. You’re going to remember who you [married]. What career choice [you made]. How your kids are. Those are life things.