High School Principal Gary Geis is ready to hang up his black and orange Bulldog gear. After a 38-year career in education, he is retiring at the end of the school year.

"I always wanted to work in the field of education,” said Geis as he reflected on his career.

Born and raised in Louisville, Geis’ father was a steel mill worker. “Dad coached and I grew up with coaches,” said Geis. “It was what I wanted.”

Geis graduated from the Bowling Green State University. His focus was to teach high school social studies. He earned a masters from the University of Dayton. In 1970, his first teaching job was in New Philadelphia. He coached the Quakers’ tennis and wrestling teams as well as serving as an assistant football coach.

“I was in New Philadelphia for five years. When I had the opportunity to return to Stark County, I went to GlenOak.”

Over a 16-year stint at GlenOak, Geis coached football and was the kindergarten through 12 director of social studies.

As the assistant principal at Middlebranch, a junior high, Geis said he received a new prospective on kids.

“Students, if treated fairly, will tell the truth,” he said. “In coaching, you tell kids what to do. And they may do it. But if you give them a job, they will find a way.”

In 1991, Geis arrived in Green Local School District. When he interviewed for the job of assistant high school principal, he didn’t know where Green Schools were located.

“On my way to the interview, my car broke down,” Geis recalled. “A custodian came out and picked me up and the truck ran out of gas. I spilled coffee all over myself. It was a miracle I got the job.”

Geis was hired and worked with John Goldsberry. “I learned a lot about running a school from John.”

Geis calls the time spent as Green’s principal “the best years.”

“We moved into a new building and Donn Force gave me one job, to get school spirit and enthusiasm back,” he recalled.

He said it was the Class of ‘98 that wanted to try various events, such as the senior payback day, the senior meal and the blood drive. “That class started a lot of the projects we have today. I didn’t tell them to do those things.” Instead, Geis gave the class the freedom to get a project done. “They were the driving force.”

“The programs Gary Geis has implemented are now traditions,” said Superintendent Dr. Wade Lucas. “These traditions will remain long after he has retired.”

For the last 11 years, Geis takes the new senior class into the school’s auditorium. The doors are closed and no other staff members are in the room. “We talk. Every senior gets a card and no one sees it but me. I ask them to write three goals on one side of the card and on the back, three ways to make a difference. I remind them this is their year.” 
Geis said teens seldom fail at meeting their goals, which vary from student to student.

“This is an amazing community,” said Geis. “The parents have done a wonderful job. Then the elementary and middle schools follow and I inherit all of these terrific students.”

Geis said educators create a lot of memories and “let’s hope they’re positive memories.”

“The students appreciate the input Gary gives them,” said Lucas.
Green Local Schools hired Joe Nicklos to succeed Geis. His sole advice to the new incoming principal is to understand that before they’re students, they’re kids.
“I’d like to thank the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” said Geis. “And thank you to the administration for allowing me to work in Green. I couldn’t ask for a better place to end my career.”

Making a difference

Geis challenged students to make a difference, even if it is picking up a piece of paper from the floor. “They joke, ‘Hey look, Mr. Geis, I’m making a difference.’ But they are. Every day.”

Geis’ most proud moment came when the students approached the school board to adopt Making a Difference Matters the official motto of Green High School.

In Making a Difference, the students work projects such as Seniors Helping Seniors, the blood drive, Support The Choice and the senior citizen dinner.

“Gary has the ability to sit back and facilitate student involvement,” noted Lucas. “It’s resulted in student and community involvement.”

After retirement

Geis is currently writing a novel. It a mystery that takes place at Notre Dame.

He is considering working with student athletes at Kent State’s study tables.