Brittney Ong interviewed Mr. Javier Gomez, recipient of the Most Fashionable Professor award for Teachers Appreciation Week 2015.

Brittney Ong (BO): Congratulations on winning the Most Fashionable Professor award!

Javier Gomez (JG): Thank you. I’m not sure how to feel about it.

BO: How did you feel about it as soon as you found out?

JG: At first, I thought that it was funny, but it is an award. I have mixed feelings about it. I like that I do make a good impression on my students. It helps them remember, if not me, then hopefully the lessons. That maybe, they’ll remember some of the lessons. If all they remember are the socks, and they forget everything I taught them in class, then I’ve failed as a teacher. That’s how I feel about it. It’s all right, but I do hope they remember something about Theology.

BO: Do you want to say anything to your students whom voted for you?

JG: I am grateful that you remembered something in class and that I have made [an] impression. I hope you continue to be inspired to learn–that’s very important. One thing that I will say about the socks or the way I dress is that I dress because I like it. It’s fun. It’s about the joy. Whether you’re studying theology or you’re studying psychology, you have to bring joy to what you do. The way I choose to dress is part of the way I bring joy to the room. It comes down to that: Loving what you do, loving to teach, loving the students, loving the socks, and loving whatever makes you happy.

BO: How would you describe your style?

JG: To self-describe a style is a bit weird. I would like to be more of a hipster, but it’s too hot to be a hipster here. It’s too hot to be a hipster in the Philippines. When I started teaching, I wanted to wear bow ties, but that’s just too hot. Physically, it’s too warm to be wearing bow ties all the time, so I thought I’ll just wear socks instead.