“I really value man to man talk and I don’t think we get to do it very often,” said history teacher Mike Fotenopulos. Recently, Fotenopulos started a new tradition where male teachers throughout the school meet on Friday mornings from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at Sunset Grill for some good “guy chat.”
“I go to build relationships with Har-Ber faculty at a different level,” said Language Academy teacher Kevin Snavely. “We actually have time to sitdown, talk, get to know each other, hear stories, and laugh.”
While any male teacher at Har-Ber may attend, the group is limited to men only.
“It’s just something for men. I’m not trying to be sexist. Quite frankly I think it’d be great if woman started their own thing where they could fellowship with women as well,” said Mr. Fotenopulos.
After three meetings, the group continues to grow in both its popularity and numbers.
“Today we had eight men. I’d like to get to the point where we take up a whole section. This is the third week, and we already have eight, so I have a feeling this will get bigger,” said Fotenopulos.
In essence, the meetings are simply a few guys sitting around discussing college and pro football while enjoying a hearty breakfast.
However, Fotenopulos sees a greater significance in the morning meetings.
“It’s just a Christ-like thing. I think it’s good for older men to listen to younger men and for younger men to listen to older men. In the Bible, Paul is talking to Timothy-older man to younger man. I think we all need a little bit of a mentor,” he said.
During these discussions, the men enjoy the variety of breakfast foods that the Sunset Grill has to offer. Each has his own favorite.
“The best thing on the menu is the Southwest Omlette, but no one really orders it because it kinda hurts you for the rest of the day,” Fotenopulos said.
“The Spanish Omelet is to die for, and the hash browns are the best in town,” said AP United States History teacher John Stewart
However, food isn’t the only thing that attracts the men to come each Friday morning. Other teachers like Mr. Snavely come more for the fellowship and less for the breakfast.
“The first day I didn’t even eat. The second day I had oatmeal,” Mr. Snavely said.
But whether a full breakfast or simply just coffee is being served, Fotenopulos has started a tradition that could stick around for a good while.
“I would like for every Friday morning that school is on for us to sit down, have breakfast, and for men to socialize,” said Fotenopulos. “I just think it’d be nice if the few men in public education were connected.”