By Samantha Ginsberg and Carlos Miranda

ISS teacher Mr. Andrew McGill is always teaching, even when things go wrong.

Murrow students realized that betting on your favorite team just doesn’t pay because he had to shave his head after the New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals on May 20th.

“I lost a bet with Mr. Woods,” said Mr. McGill, referring to his bet that he had with Math teacher and close friend Mr. Ralph Woods. If the Knicks did win the game, Mr. Woods would have to shave his head.

Image: Mr. McGill.

However, the real problem was when Mr. McGill had to come to school the next day with his shaved head. Needless to say that it sparked many comments among students and staff and even videos were his new haircut.

“I definitely didn’t expect videos to be made, but I think it’s hilarious and have no problem with it,” Mr. McGill said. “People ask me to rub my head to make wishes. I get compared to a milk dud, an M&M, a meatball, Steve Harvey, Shaq, Magic Johnson, basically any bald Black guy.”  

When asked if he was considering wearing a bald cap, McGill says: “Yes I was. Then I decided that I should actually do it because it would be funny.” 

Since Mr. McGill shaved his head, students and teachers alike have reacted to his new look. Audrey Eisen, one of McGill’s students, took notice of his new look.

“He shaved his head… he’s bald.” said Eisen, a senior at Murrow. “It’s an interesting choice.”

Image: Mr. McGill shows off his newly bald head.

Sophomore Ondre Prass looks at it from a different perspective. 

“Appearance doesn’t matter; race, gender, sex, etc. If they’re good at teaching, that’s all that matters,” he said.

Guidance counselor Ms. Taralyn Accetta also noticed what the students were saying.  

“Other students said ‘Whoa, what happened to your hair?’ or ‘You look so different’”, she said. 

Mr. McGill said he’d wholeheartedly accepted his new popularity as his hair starts to grow in.

His one advice to students: “For all the students: Don’t gamble, don’t do drugs, and don’t go bald!” Mr. McGill said laughing.