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Earning students’ engagement in the classroom is a tough job, especially when it comes to math courses. We’ve all been there before — the numbers almost bore you to sleep.

However, Sabine Pass’ Larry Gregory is changing the trend for the classes he teaches. The Sharks’ standout staff member was named Philpott Motors Teacher of the Month.

Sabine Pass Superintendent Kristi Heid, Philpott Motors’ Bob Thewman, and representatives from the Port Arthur News surprised Gregory by presenting him with a $500 gift card, Sep. 19.

Fellow staff members describe Gregory as “every parent’s dream teacher.”

Gregory is in his 15th year at Sabine Pass, where he teaches 8th-12th grade math and physics courses. According to Heid, Gregory was asked to teach every 8th grade student Algebra 1 — the result was a 100% pass rate among students in the course along with a 67% mastery rate.

What’s the secret to Gregory’s success?

“I think from day one, setting the expectations high and keeping the expectations high; leading by example; and not giving up,” he said. “From the eighth graders on up to the college level classes, you know, I don’t treat my kids any differently.”

Aside from his required duties as a teacher at Sabine Pass, Gregory coaches the school’s number sense, math, calculator, and computer science UIL academic teams. He is also an adjunct professor at the Lamar Institute of Technology.

The UIL teams Gregory sponsors are among Texas’ powerhouse programs. The Sharks’ academic squads almost always sweep their way through regional and area competitions before competing at the state level — they’ve won the title three times in recent years.

“The hardest place to stay is on top,” Gregory said. “Everyone’s always after you, and you have to maintain, maintain, maintain. I can vouch that there’s no one in the state that has students that work harder.”

Gregory earned his Bachelor’s in chemical engineering from Lamar University before getting his Master’s in mathematics from the University of Houston.

As he continues his career, he hopes to make a difference in students’ lives and help educate the next generation.

“I’m investing my time so later in life, hopefully they’re able to help me out,” Gregory said. “I’m investing in the future.”