Jon Poole finds his pleasures in helping others succeed.
Jon Poole delivers one of his famous inspirational talks. photo by Becca Holt
Everyone has a hero, someone to look up to, a role model used as guidance to lead them onto the right path. For TJ History Teacher Jon Poole, it was his high school basketball coach and U.S. History teacher who played a leading role in his journey to where he is today.
Bill Gold was the man who was able to motivate Poole and push him to defy his limits. “When I started his class, he told me that I couldn’t get an A in his class. He would set very high expectations for me, knowing that would motivate me to reach these expectations and excel. He was very dry and sarcastic, but he was the one that I respected the most,” said Poole. Gold was very tough on his students and athletes, but was able to create very personal relationships with them, which allowed them to mold incredible amounts of trust with each other.
Poole believes he has become an expert when dealing with high school students. “Some people get stuck in the Peter Pan complex; I am one of those people,” joked Poole, who says it is the concept of “once a kid, always a kid,” that has stuck with him. He says he finds it hard to grow up himself, when surrounded by students who are in the process of growing up themselves.
Poole says it is easy to relate to the hectic lives high school students lead. “When I was in high school I had to juggle my academics between sports and work. I started with mopping floors at the local ice cream shop and moved on to bartending when I was older. I struggled with ADHD so I was super hyperactive; I played almost every sport growing up. I, too, had to grow out of the wild-child stage,” said Poole, who attended St. Vincent’s Catholic School for elementary through middle school, and then Regis for High School, both here in Denver. “When I was younger I didn’t know exactly know how to handle my own hyper activeness. In Elementary school I was somewhat reckless; I managed to climb onto a bookshelf and jump onto my teacher, threw applesauce at the lunch lady, and threw an orange at a nun,” said Poole who, because of his high energy level – along with his brothers – had to play outside until dinner; they weren’t allowed to go inside otherwise.
Since high school, Poole has been able to rise above many obstacles and challenges that have been thrown his way. He says career choice was one of the hardest decisions he had to make. “At that point in time I had to choose between my current lifestyle led by working in a restaurant, or going back to school. I was accepted into law school but with last minute changes I went for my Masters Degree in Education for Instruction and Curriculum,” said Poole, who attended the University of Denver to earn the degree.
“All throughout high school and college I coached for competitive soccer teams, and high school basketball. When I moved to California for a year, the one thing I missed most was coaching. I figured the closest thing to coaching would be teaching. I liked the idea of being a mentor and helping people,” said Poole, who followed his passions and is currently the TJ boys’ varsity soccer coach.
Poole’s progression has transformed him from student to mentor. His experiences have endowed him with the ability to have the same affect on his own students that his teacher once had on him. One of those students is David Sanchez, who is a senior at TJ and has known Poole for four years now. “Poole isn’t just a teacher. He is a strong mentor, a coach, and a friend, as well. He is able to keep a delicate balance between the different relationships he has with students,” said Sanchez. After taking Poole’s vigorous government class, it didn’t take long for Sanchez to realize how high Poole’s expectations are for his students. “He is the kind of person you never want to let down, and he tolerates no slacking. You always want to impress him and make him proud of your achievements; you want everything to look good in his eyes. Poole is always motivating you to reach your goals and pushing you to overcome the impossible. For some it can be hard to see past his sarcasm, but he will help you no matter what mess you are in. It is rare to find a teacher who truly cares about each individual student; one who is always pushing you further and preparing you for a successful future,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez has been working very hard as a result of Poole’s influences on him. He will be the first member of his family to graduate high school and move onto college. Sanchez has also concentrated much of his effort toward soccer; he was one of the varsity captains for the Spartans this year. “Soccer is my passion. I hope to pursue soccer after high school and see where it takes me. Poole has taught me to make plans for my future and to follow my dreams and passions and work hard for them,” said Sanchez.
This year Poole was able to lead the varsity boys’ soccer team into the playoffs. Unfortunately, the team didn’t place well and had to beat the number-two ranked team to progress into the next round. The boys were unable to pull out with the win, but were able to accomplish so much more.
The game was played through gusting winds, rain, snow, mud, goose bumps and hard work; yet a stand full of supporting fans, and players playing with passion and heart all showed up. During the game the players defined teamwork because of their outstanding ability to work together on the field. The Spartans were up for almost half the game and were still winning with only seven minutes left on the scoreboard. The opposing team, Wheatridge, soon scored, tying the game 2-2. The game went into double overtime, and with only a few minutes left in the second over-time, the opponents scored, ending the game 3-2.
“I had never been so proud of a team before that game. Everyone on that squad had been with me for just about four years, which made it that much more meaningful for me. I saw Tommy go from a shaggy-haired little freshman to a confident, imposing, and intelligent player. It was incredible because I had not witnessed individuals work so hard for each other, and to be a part of it was something special. I can’t take credit for it, but I certainly enjoyed it. The key to success is confidence and a team believing in itself,” said Poole.
“In addition to this year’s senior players laying a great foundation for next year’s team, the incoming leadership combined with the already established team chemistry has created the opportunity for us to have an even better season next year, possibly our best in a very long time,” said Poole. But for his players, it is Poole’s perseverance to help others and his strong leadership that really stands out.
Poole also spends some time playing on the field and not just coaching, but has tapered back his playing time to focus more on his wife Sara and son Joseph, who is 20 months old. “Immediately after school I pick up Joe and we head straight to the park. When it is too cold outside I take him to the mall and we ride the escalators and elevators up and down one thousand times,” said Poole, who finds it very easy to spend time with his always energetic and happy son. “He is just go, go, go; all he does is run and laugh,” said Poole, who says Joe always keeps him on his toes. “Everyday when I get home Joe runs to the door and says, ‘What’s that…that’s my Daddy!’ that would make anybody happy,” said a grinning Poole.
