Photo provided
KMS teacher Bill Sigler (left) and student Charles Barnes joke about solving a simple math equation.
Krueger’s Sigler does duty with humor
By Morgan Powenski
Staff Writer
MICHIGAN CITY – He may joke a lot, but Bill Sigler is serious about teaching.
Sigler, a seventh grade social studies teacher at Krueger Middle School, filled in as a science teacher when there was an open position this semester.
He did this even though he hadn’t been a science teacher before.
“It just had to be done, so I did it,” Sigler said.
He is responsible as a teacher and a coworker. He is always there to cover other classes.
“He is always willing to cover a class,” said KMS math teacher Nikki Dopka. “He will take on tasks if you ask him to do it,”
Sigler grew up around education during a childhood he called “magical.” His aunt was a teacher and his uncle was a counselor. Westchester Middle School in Chesterton, Ind., is where his dad, Kim Sigler, worked as a vice principal.
“(Education) just kind of ran in the family,” Sigler said.
Photo provided
Sigler (right) poses for a photograph with his brother, Von Sigler (left) and father, Kim Sigler, around the holidays.
Kim Sigler had KMS Principal Josh Malone as a student in the late ‘90s, but Malone never got in trouble with him.
“He was a good guy, but I never had to deal with him,” Malone said. “I never had too much interaction.”
Sigler also had his dad as a vice principal in middle school. When he was a kid he dreamed of becoming a race car driver and a basketball player, but when he got older he went to Ball State University and decided to be a social studies teacher.
Sigler got the job as a social studies teacher at Krueger Middle School in 2015. He’s been teaching here ever since.
“I don’t know how I got here,” Sigler said. “I wake up every day amazed that I am where I am. It’s all a blur. How about that?”
Even though Sigler said he’s “very serious” at school, he is a very funny guy that gives quick and witty responses to his students.
“The way he would talk to kids is just different…but it’s a good different,” said eighth grader Sean Triemstra, who had Sigler in seventh grade. “He has so many different relationships with the kids.”
Other coworkers also think he gives witty responses that lighten up the mood for other people.
“I think the kids really enjoy his class, and he makes learning fun,” Malone said.
Sigler does Living History, as well as playing golf and being a Chicago White Sox fan. He and his dad run a lawncare business that kills weeds and makes grass green. One of their customers is Malone.
“He does a great job,” Malone said. “My lawn looks great.”
Sigler has a very simple view of his effect on the school.
“It’s still open, and it’s not closed yet,” he said.
Krueger Middle School is happy to have him.
“Krueger is lucky to have Mr. Sigler,” Malone said. “He’s a good role model for our kids, he gets along with everybody, and I think our staff is blessed to have him.”