A bird? A plane? No it is Mr. Klick! With boyish good looks and friendly demeanor, you may have seen this fascinating IB teacher zooming from class to class at marathon speed. If you are yet to meet this psychology teacher and coach, you are in for a treat as we further explore the inner most workings of Brian Klick.

Harriton Banner: How did you start teaching and why?

Mr. Klick: I had my first teaching experience at Strath Haven middle school. I was still deciding if I wanted to go to grad school for psychology or go into education. I had torn my knee at the time and couldn’t run for Widner. I was asked to help coach the Strath Haven team and the dynamic of teaching and coaching at the same time made me realize that working with young people was my passion.

HB: How many classes do you teach?

BK: I teach five classes: three IB Theory Of Knowledge, one IB psych first year HL/SL and one IB psych HL second year.

HB: Why IB?

BK: IB fosters critical thinking and puts a focus on discussion. Students aren’t asked to memorize and regurgitate material. In psychology, they’re asked to how consider much stock you should put into certain material rather than told.

HB: How did you get into psychology?

BK: I majored in psychology at Widner University. When I went into college, I knew I either wanted to get a doctorate in psychology or go into education. At first I considered being a guidance counselor. I got my masters in counseling but preferred the classroom.

HB: How did you start running?

BK: My dad was a collegiate runner at Widner. When I was young he used to coach track at St. Andrews. I wanted to spend time with him so I begged him to let me join the track team young. I started running with the team in second grade.  I wasn’t super competitive; I just ran the 100 yard dash and long jumped.

HB: How many marathons have you run?

BK: I started ten marathons and finished seven of them. I look at the marathon as being a vision quest- something that allows you to get to the deepest part of yourself, where you have to choose to push forward or give up. It teaches you about who you are and what your threshold is. Originally I wanted to run one after I got sick with lymphoma to prove to myself that I could. I liked the feeling of being with myself for a few hours and seeing where I could go. I also liked the intense focus with the training- three or four months of training for one day.

HB: What is your experience with cancer?

BK: I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October of 2004. I had a lot of weird symptoms that made me realize something wasn’t right. I was coaching at Widner and when went to run altitude I was throwing up and my heart rate wouldn’t come down from 110. So I knew something was wrong.

HB: How do you balance, running, teaching, family etc.?

BK: You have to have everything prioritized. Family comes first and is above and beyond everything else. I have to make sure I’m making enough time for them; something gets cut off if I’m not. I try to be as productive as possible during the day so I don’t have to take work home. I try to prioritize my time to focus on being as productive as possible. There’s always room to fit running in; sometimes you just have to be creative. If track has a long run day, I run the athletes. But if I have to focus on coaching the athletes, I wake up at five to run. Sometimes it’s the only spot I can fit it in.

HB: Do you have any coaching goals for the future?

BK: For cross country, I want to build the team to the point where we get onto the podium at states as a team. For track I want to have multiple people competing at states so we can score as a team. I’m trying to rid the school of the image that track is an individual sport.

HB: Do you have any teaching goals for the future?

BK: As much as I teach, I also learn. I want to continue to have a growth mindset with regards to my teaching practices. I learn from the students as much as I teach.

HB: Do you have any goals for your family?

BK: I want to give Owen and Liam the best possible opportunity to be successful and expose them to all parts of the world. Give them the opportunity to do everything I could’ve done but didn’t get a chance to.

HB: Do you have any goals for running?

BK: I’m chasing my white whale goal for the marathon- break 6 minutes per mile for the entire time. So far I’ve gotten to 6:02, so I’m not too far.

HB: What’s your biggest achievement?

BK: My biggest personal achievement is my academic all American title which I received twice in college. Being an academic all American set the tone of proper balance for the things that I do. Also, my kids, because when I got diagnosed with cancer I didn’t know if I’d be able to have kids or not. The latter matters most to me.

Wise beyond his years, Klick leaves us with words to live by: “If I Am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, who am I? If not now, when?” –Rabbi Hillel. A quote he has abided by throughout his years, Mr. Klick plans to continue to inspire us all with his talent, modesty and courage!