By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that is designed to spotlight and celebrate coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today’s spotlight is on Crestwood High School boys basketball coach Josh Jakacki, who is an elementary math and science teacher at Kenston.

• School district: Kenston Local Schools.
• How long have you been employed at the district?: 17 years.
• Classes taught?: Currently 4th grade Math and Science; previously 8th grade American History.
• What made you want to become an educator?: To be honest, when I transferred from Malone, they didn’t have any major for Sport Management and my dad suggested that I go the education route.
• What is the favorite part of your job?: The ability to make a difference in one’s life daily and those needs for kids change daily.
• What have you learned about being an educator that you didn’t know before you started?: The mental stress the job places on you, especially the older you get.
• Which teachers influenced you to go into education?: Mr. Paulenich; My high school ELA teacher.
• How do you apply some of your coaching to the classroom?: Everyday is a new day to learn something new, never stop learning new things or trying new things, as well.
• How do you apply some of your classroom to your coaching?: Being positive, making them perform uncomfortable lessons that promote growth and deeper learning.
• What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you in the classroom?: I can’t really think of just one.
• Mentors in your building who have helped you along the way?: Dave Wesley and Eddie Judd.