By Jadynne Brady
Editor-in-Chief
Doug Black is a retiring special-ed teacher here at Blue Springs South.
How long have you been teaching?
28 years.
What have you been teaching?
Special Ed and history.
Where have you taught?
Been here for 21 years, and I was at Columbia Hickman for seven.
What got you into teaching?
When I graduated from Northern Iowa, I went to Oklahoma, and I was coaching down there. I needed money, so I started subbing. I realized I like working with young adults.
Why did you decide to retire now?
It’s time for change. I’ve been doing it a long time. Still love coaching. I still love working with young adults. It’s time for a change. Something different.
How does it feel to be leaving?
It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s starting to sink in. Right now, we get through EOC testing. I mean, I’ve been coming here the last 21 years, the days are getting counted down. So, it’s just getting different. Strange feeling.
What are you going to be doing?
Well, I got a couple different options. We got to make a decision here shortly, couple different places want to hire me. Like doing handy work. I like to continue to work with young adults in some capacity, however. So as far as coaching, I’m not sure yet. I mean, I haven’t had a Thanksgiving off in like 40 years. It may be different is all. I like to spend more time with my wife and with my little girl.
What are you going to miss about teaching?
interaction with young adults and seeing them grow into fine young men and women. I get a bunch of wrestlers that come back all the time and seeing how well they are doing. That’s what I’m in it for, not in it for I’m not in for accolades or anything like that. I just like kids and see him grow mature and have him start families.
Is there anything about the South in particular?
No, I mean, just recently, my wife’s sister passed away. I mean, it’s hard. The staff reached out. You know, it is a good family. So, I know when we took my oldest kid over to China 15 years ago, they were very supportive. They raised a bunch of money for us to help go over there on the trip. When you need someone, they’re always there for you.
Do you have a favorite memory?
One of them is definitely back in ‘14, one the first and only conference for wrestling. We’ve been close, but we finally got over the hump last couple years. That was probably the best one. I mean, as far as putting a lot of sweat into it, I never finally went and then started sweating. Having, probably, the first state champ here at South. I’ve had them down in Columbia, but first one here was pretty amazing. Teaching wise, there’s been a lot of good things. Shake kids’ hands after they graduate. That’s always it’s fun to see the kids walk. And some kids, when first get them, they’re struggling. And then seeing mature and grow. That’s what I do it for.
Do you have any advice for future teachers?
Hold your ground. Be the adult. So that’s, I think a lot of young teachers try to be their friends. You can’t do that. You got to be the adult. I mean, you can have fun with only, like I said, grounds, hold them.
Do you have anything else that I should know?
No, I mean this, it’s been a been a fun ride. I think it’s time to start something different.
