By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates 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 Chris Mossa, who is in his 25th year teaching high school ELA at Mogadore High School and 20th year as the Wildcats’ boys golf coach.

• What made you want to become an educator?: The opportunity to help kids achieve their goals. I also wanted to help in athletics as a coach or athletic director.
• What is your favorite part of your job?: Being around the kids. Even though the 21st century is vastly different from the days I was in high school, the kids are still the same. They are full of energy and promise.
• What have you learned about being an educator that you didn’t know before you started?: Truth and honesty are the best tools as an educator and coach. Demonstrating these traits and being accountable has always been the path to success in or out of the classroom. Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes and have the courage to correct them and learn from them.
• Which teachers influenced you to go into education?: My father (Joe Mossa) was a teacher, principal and coach. He showed me the joys of being around students and the intrinsic positivity it can provide.
• How do you apply some of your coaching to the classroom?: Effective planning is essential in both areas. I always am ready to occupy my class or team with lessons, activities and collaboration to get the best out of all.
• How do you apply some of your classroom to your coaching?: I always am truthful with my teams, but foremost, we have fun. If you enjoy your class or sport, it makes one that much more successful.
• Funniest thing that has ever happened in your classroom?: A former junior football player was giving a presentation and demonstration in front of the class and became so animated that he split his pants. Hilarity ensued.
• Mentors in your building who have helped you along the way?: I observed and copied the work ethic and professionalism of some fine co-workers in my time at Mogadore High School. Too numerous to name them all, but some of them include Norm Lingle, Tom Pollock, Cheryl Stires, Maryann Smith, Faye Maholm, Scott Pollock, Rich Brumbaugh, Jason Dannemiller and Russ Swartz.