Keianah Weakland
Opinion Editor
Two years ago, SHS gained a PE teacher with many years of experience, who teaches to have a positive impact on his students’ life. Josh Dill previously worked at David Douglas High School for 16 years.
“I love teaching PE! PE allows me to share my love for physical exercise and sports with my students. When a student starts to see and feel the positive changes from being a part of a regular exercise program, it can be life changing. Being a part of this process for students is very rewarding,” Dill, who is also the head football coach, said.
During his two years at SHS, he has taught a variety of PE classes including Strength and Conditioning, PE 1, Advanced Strength and Conditioning, as well as Academic Success. This year during Distance Learning, Dill is teaching PE 1 for periods 1 and 2, and Strength and Conditioning for period 3. As Distance Learning has presented many challenges for teachers this year, teaching PE through a screen is an obstacle.
“Teaching is all about relationships. Students don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Motivating students is a big part of my job and doing it behind a screen to a bunch of icons is less than ideal,” Dill said.
Not only is Dill a teacher, but he is also the head football coach at SHS as well. He teaches and coaches to positively impact students’ lives and to build relationships with them.
“I feel that I have created a safe environment where I can help kids be successful which is good. I try to bring energy to class every day and give students a reason to attend. Being with adolescent students in this time of their life is a privilege,” Dill said.
The challenge of teaching online brings up many difficulties for Dill. Attendance rates are not as high as the school hopes for, but the students who do show up consistently make it easier for Dill.
“I try to mix it up and keep it fresh. As a PE department we have decided to spend a lot of time trying to connect with kids and giving them a time to have social interaction. Building this time into the class has been good and has led to improved engagement,” Dill said.
Dill has been the head football coach during COVID-19 longer than he has been an in-person head coach, which is a challenge. Coaching is one of his many passions, which he has been working toward for quite some time. Football had a large impact on his life and he hopes football will have an impact on his players too.
“I hope that my football program can do this for many young students. Ultimately, football gives me a platform to teach young men (and sometimes women) to be people of character and integrity that change the world for good. I absolutely love to teach and coach at this great school in this awesome school district. I can’t wait to get back to it in person,” Dill said.
Dill, along with many other teachers, is looking forward to the day classes will resume in person. In-person classes will make it easier for him to build these connections and impact his students lives to a greater level.
The Pioneer Press 