Meet the New Teachers, 2026-27
West looks to make positive impact
By Lee Zion, Editor
Harrison County Times-Reporter
Jack West, 24, will start his first year at Logan-Magnolia High School, teaching social studies for grades nine through 12, starting in August. But already, he’s met with students as part of his other job — to be the head football coach and girls’ track coach at the school.
West had previously worked as a high school social studies teacher at Nodaway High School at Nodaway Valley HS, in Greenfield. But it wasn’t just social studies.
“I was the head football coach, and I was also the boys’ and girls’ track coach,” he said.
That was his first job out of college, and it was his first experience at a small school. He described what that was like.
“Getting to work with kids on a personal level, and getting to know all the kids from all the grades. I really enjoyed it across the board. Really thought I found my footing, figured out what works for me in the classroom, what works for me as a coach, what doesn’t work for me in the classroom, what doesn’t work for me as a coach,” he said. “It was a fantastic experience.”
The most emjoyable part of the job is seeing how the students grow over the years.
“Seeing how they grow from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. The relationships with the kids. I enjoy helping them work toward their goal, and just do what I can to be of service to them so they can accomplish their dreams and their goals.
Whatever their plans are after high school,” West said.
As for the least enjoyable? So far, he hasn’t had one yet.
“I really do enjoy my job. I think it’s the best job in the world,” he said.
The only challenge is keeping that high level of enthusiam over eight hours.
“I see teaching as ... to get kids engaged. Being engaging as a teacher, you almost have to put on a performance,” he said. “I see that as my role and responsibility. It’s a challenge to do that every single day, every single period, every single class, for the whole school year.”
What gets him started at the beginning of the school week?
“A cup of coffee. I get excited about seeing the kids every day. The conversations you get to have in class, asking the kids what they did over the weekend,” West said. “Being able to see the light bulb go off in their heads whem you’re teaching a new concept or discussing something new.”
And with sports, seeing the kids get excited about the season, West said.
West remembered being in middle school and high school. He was impressed by his teachers and coaches, and that made him decide he wanted to be a coach.
“I thought about how awesome and how positive an impact they had on me, and thought it would be really cool if I could have that positive impact on future kids, as well,” he said.
One of the biggest jumps West has seen is in the sophomore year.
“Their attitude, their maturity,” he said. “They have the background knowledge now to feel more confident in themselves, or something just clicks that they recognize their actions have consequences. And they have to start preparing for whatever their future may hold.”
NOTE: This is the first of what will become a feature covering the new teachers for all the school districts in the Harrison County Times-Reporter coverage area.
