Ark City Middle School science teacher Jeff Shaw was recently selected for the Distinguished Service Teacher Award from Pittsburg State University, his alumni.
Shaw earned a Bachelor’s in Education at Pitt State in 1988 followed by a Master’s at Kansas State University in 1990.
He has taught in the same classroom in his hometown for 30 years, a press release from the college said.
A member of the Track and Field team at Pitt State, Shaw was a successful javelin thrower and team captain alongside the decorated athlete Monte Weathers.
“That love for athletics extended to his career,” the news release said. “He has been a coach in multiple sports and used his passion for track and field to help students become state champions. He coached football for many years and has shared one of his favorite hobbies, golf, with students to give them a game they can enjoy for life.”
Shaw told Pitt State he had great influences.
“My grandpa was a coach and teacher, and I was inspired by him to go into education,” he said. “It’s been a great career. I just love working with young people, love the ‘aha’ moments, and it’s rewarding when they still come around to visit after high school and say ‘Hey, coach, how you doing?’”
Shaw volunteers with the After School Program and Summer School, creates Project Based Learning projects to connect students to the community, volunteers to give students individual lessons to improve a skill or their sport, and attends local youth recreation events to cheer them on.
Evan Burke, assistant principal, said Shaw was assigned to be his mentor when Burke first came to Ark City as a fellow science teacher. He credits Shaw with helping him with advice, guidance, and support in meaningful and lasting ways.
“Jeff has had a storied career; ask any Ark City resident about this man and you will see a smile break out on their face followed by a story of how he has made a positive impact on their life,” Burke said. “He is an outstanding educator that Pitt State can be proud of.”
