Interview with
Jack Prater

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I'm from Houston and I was working with students helping them getting into university. It was a national program. And then when I went to college, there was a summer bridging program to help kids who may be underprepared for college. Helping those kids get the preparation they needed to get acclimated to the campus, typically underrepresented or underserved kids. I went through a program like that and then when I graduated from college I started supporting programs like that at Caltech and Drexel. I played volleyball and I started coaching volleyball, and then I started coaching at the school I'm at now, and then an opportunity came to move from engineering to math because they had an opening and I decided, I really enjoy my work with students, I like showing kids that they're capable, especially kids that didn't understand that was a possibility.

Which subjects do you teach?

I started as a full time teacher in the Math Department in 2011.

How did you find out about The Earth Prize Competition?

It was really through my student Sabrina, who was keen to compete. I have the sense that if students are excited about something, you do everything you can to support and facilitate that. Keep saying yes.

How has The Earth Prize competition inspired you, challenged you, or helped you achieve your goals?

I think we are trying to package the problem as a challenge, that the earth is something that we can help, the idea that we shouldn't be afraid or intimidated by these technical challenges. There’s a community of young people working together to make a difference in the world. I think that's the piece that's helping kids see and understand. That alleviates a little bit of that helplessness that kids feel. I think seeing that there's an organisation like The Earth Prize, that’s helping kids access and get motivated to do something about it, is really helpful and really special.

What value would you say The Earth Prize has brought to your students?

It's fun that they're so supportive of each other. We come together a couple of times a week and the enthusiasm behind students supporting each other is exciting. Sometimes the students get up and say this is something that's difficult, but it's something that we can tackle if we do it together. It's funny to see them taking an adult role to try and energise each other. But it's always exciting to see when they get recognised for their effort, how they get behind each other.

I think a huge part of that creativity is an idea that you have to be part of a team. I think that Sabrina referenced a lot of people and resources. I taught her math when she was a freshman and she was kind of singularly focused on perfection. And I really try to encourage her to realise it is just the community of builders and miners that are going to be successful. Even though she's the only one from this school, she's partnering with people from other schools to get ideas, and they help her understand how to shape a vision. So she's taken that lesson and she's been able to shape and craft an idea that I think has a lot of potential. She’s really excited about taking a high school idea and saying how will I do this in college and when I get out of college? Where might this idea be and where can I take it from here? It's truly remarkable.

What advice would you share with teachers in other schools who are considering participating in the next edition of the competition?

It's something that can energise a campus and I think anything that gets students excited is worthwhile. The monetary piece of it is exciting and is definitely always useful and helpful, but the energy and the excitement and just daring it, I think brings energy to a campus. Plus you get to work really closely with students on a problem that can add to your connection to students. The Earth Prize is a wonderful chance to connect with kids and think about really empowering them to feel like they have an impact on the world.