Hubert West
Grades/subjects you teach: 6-8
E-mail address: hwest@chatham.k12.nc.us
Date, place of birth: November 2, 1950, in Mocksville
Education (high school & college attended, degrees): Davie High School; UNC-Chapel Hill, bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, 1973; master’s degree in physical education, 1979
Brief work history: Margaret B. Pollard Middle School, 9 years; University of North Carolina track coach (assistant coach, 13 years; head coach, two years); The Herald-Sun newspaper, 5 years; Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill (athletics director, physical education teacher, track and cross country coach, 7 years); Healing Waters Fellowship, pastor, 1995 to present
Honors/awards: Chatham County Schools Instructional Assistant of the Year, three times; Margaret B. Pollard Middle School Bus Driver of the Year; All-Atlantic Coast Conference, nine times; ACC outdoor long jump champion, 1972; Nationally ranked No. 17 in the long jump, 1973; E.J. Evans Sr. Award, UNC track, 1973
Hobbies/interests outside of educating: golf, reading, traveling
Family: wife, two sons, two daughters-in-law and one granddaughter
On teaching...
What led you to a career in education?: I have been involved with education in some aspect for more than 40 years. Being here at Pollard allows me to impact students at an earlier age.
Has becoming an educator been all you expected it would be?: Yes.
How has education changed since you were a student?: The amount of technology used in the classroom.
What “makes your day” as an educator?: Seeing the smiling faces of the students and staff and a student’s eyes light up when they succeed.
What’s your favorite memory of your first year in education?: The success of the students I worked with.
How would your “educator” persona handle you as a student?: With a firm but encouraging hand.
For students?: Believe in yourself and your abilities and also don’t give up before trying.
For parents?: Stay involved in your child’s education process.
If one of your students was asked for a one-word description of you by a student who hadn’t had you as an educator, what would that one word be?: Fair
Favorite movie about school or education: “Stand and Deliver”
How would you summarize your philosophy as an educator?: Every student can grow
What’s special about your school?: The caring staff