The basketball arched through the air, the game teetering between victory and defeat until a Walnut player tipped the pass, sending it spiraling into the hands of a teammate for the winning touchdown. For girls basketball coach and health teacher Michael James, that defining moment has represented teamwork, resilience and dedication. After 43 years in education, James will be retiring from the school. Both on the court and in the classroom, James has focused on getting people to develop their individual skills, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration.
“Walnut is a great place to be. What I’ll miss is the relationships with the people that I have built,” James said.
While some may consider coaching and teaching quite different in nature, James feels that they are fundamentally the same.
“To me, coaching and teaching is exactly the same thing. The only difference is that when you are coaching a team, their test is on the game day,” James said. “They practice instead of studying for the test.”
He first started teaching in 1983 at St. Mark’s Lutheran School, Grandview Middle School and has been teaching at Walnut for 29 years. At Walnut, he started as the junior varsity basketball coach, also coaching track and football throughout the years. When a teaching spot opened up, he eventually ended up teaching PE and Health.
“He’s taught me the importance of discipline, accountability and staying focused even when things are difficult. Because of him, l’ve become more confident in my abilities and more willing to push myself outside my comfort zone,” girls basketball guard small forward junior Joanna Xie said. “He’s also helped me develop a stronger mindset—learning how to handle pressure, take feedback and keep improving.”
Although winning games is exciting, James finds that helping students grow and building relationships is even more rewarding.
“When I run into former students from 25 or 30 years ago, they’re always happy to come up and either hug me, shake my hand or reminisce,” James said. “It feels good to know that you made an impact in their life.”
Although James plans to take next year off from coaching, he would like to return one day at a junior college or volunteer with nonprofit organizations. He hopes that he can continue to leave an impact on students’ lives.
“I just want to be remembered as the guy who always helps kids, tries to do what is best for them and as the person who was always willing to give someone an opportunity.” Ω
