Madeline Petrick
Walking Club will use the main gym but first meet in Geiken's classroom, room 246.
When he’s not producing content for his YouTube channel, which features his dad-esque how-to videos and his cats, social studies teacher Nathan Geiken can be found walking around the school listening to a history podcast, and now he’s inviting students to join him.
Starting Nov. 7, Geiken will be hosting a walking club every Friday morning, beginning at 7:15 a.m., in his classroom, room 246.
“My goal is to get people moving,” Geiken said. “I found that when I started walking in my life, I’ve had lots of health benefits, and I feel better all the time. A lot of times, I listen to history podcasts, and this might relate better with the students, because I’m sure they’re not all listening to history podcasts, but sometimes I’m just scrolling through TikTok, and that’s it. At least I’m moving and doing something, and that’s the point. So that’s the goal for the students, too, is to just develop a healthy habit.”
Students can use the time to socialize or not, but Geiken promises to ditch the history podcasts during the club’s walking time.
“Just try it,” he said. “Bring your phone, bring your earbuds, if you want. If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. Just try it.”
The club will meet during the winter season. Currently, the last planned meeting is Jan. 30.
“I thought a good time would be winter,” Geiken said. “We’ve got this incredible walking track here at Gretna East, might as well use it.”
Fellow social studies teacher, Maxwell Sealer, encouraged Geiken to start the club.
“He noticed that I walk around the school a lot, and he said, ‘Why don’t you start a walking club?’” Geiken said. “So over the summer, I got permission, and I’m starting it.”