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Teacher Spotlight: Zac Eash

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Andrea Halbloom, special education teacher at West Marshall High School, has spent most of her teaching career in State Center.

Meet Zac Eash, social studies teacher at West Marshall Middle School in State Center.

Eash, 29, who lives in Ames, grew up in Kalona and graduated from Mid-Prairie High School. He graduated from Central College in Pella in 2013.

Eash began teaching at West Marshall Middle School immediately after graduating from college.

He and his wife, Rachel, are expecting their first child in March. They also have a golden retriever named Harper.

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

A: When I was in middle school people started asking what I wanted to be when I grew up. I started to look for people who seemed to enjoy their jobs. I found that my teachers really appeared to like what they did every day. After some thinking, I thought that teaching was a career I could see myself enjoying. I haven’t looked back since then.

Q: What is it like being a teacher at your school?

A: Teaching at West Marshall Middle School is one of the most fun and challenging things I’ve done. Each day I teach a wide variety of students who have different abilities, skills, interests and backgrounds. I try to develop lessons that engage the students and that they can connect to their own lives. I have conversations with students about their lives, behavior, family, weather, news, sports and a variety of other topics. Teaching is a job where no two days are alike. I am fortunate to be part of an outstanding and supportive staff.

Q: What are the best aspects of your job?

A: Building relationships with students. Getting to know them as people to help them in class and outside of school as well. One of my favorite things to do is just talk to kids about their lives.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you face?

A: The biggest challenge is teaching takes a lot out of a person. Developing lessons, leading those lessons, grading and evaluating assignments all take time and energy. Developing relationships with teens takes time and energy as well. Working outside of school hours can be difficult too. But the good aspects of this job far outweigh the bad.

Q: What do you want readers to know about your job, the school, the district, etc.?

A: I feel very fortunate to be part of the West Marshall district. The district is full of people who want what is best for the kids. The staff works hard to give kids chances to grow as students and as people. I feel very fortunate to work there.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time:

A: In my spare time, I am an assistant high school baseball coach and middle school basketball coach. Those seasons keep me pretty busy. I also enjoy watching sports and spending quality time with friends and family.

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