Gary Porter, one of the newer teachers at this school, has had an enormous effect on students’ lives. In just his second year here, he has built several bonds with students of all grade levels.

“I feel it is very important to build relationships with your students because not every kid has a good home life. I feel like it is my job as a teacher to reach out to them. While I may only touch 100 students’ lives, I could be the person who saves their life,” Porter said.

Porter is a teacher and a coach. Last year he taught World History and football but this year things have switched up for him.

Because of the change in the graduation plan, the need for history teachers this year has decreased. Therefore for this year he was unable to teach a world history class.

“This year I am teaching Edgenuity, football and track,” Porter said.

In the past he has taught several different subjects such as economics, government, world geography, world history and US history, but edgenuity is a first.

“It is a self-driven online class. I am just a monitor,” Porter said.

He is so comfortable with teaching that this year is unusual for him. He doesn’t complain but it has been made clear that he would much rather prefer to teach history.

“It wasn’t my decision to monitor this class but hopefully next year I will be back to teaching world history,” Porter said.

Not only is Porter a teacher and a coach but he is an amazing father to one of the students as well.

“Having Coach Porter as a father, a teacher and a coach has taught me responsibility, maturity, and has given me the motivation I need to succeed,” his son, junior Zach Squyres said.

With Porter being a coach and a teacher it is sometimes difficult to find time to bond.

“School takes up a lot of time and it is hard to spend time with family but it always happens,” Porter and Squyres said.

Porter is always involved in his students’ lives, especially one in particular.

Last year it came to Porter’s attention that one of his students had recently lost his father and was not able to learn how to drive.

While sophomore Luke Pendley endured a devastating moment, Porter reassured him that everything would be ok and really gave him a new outlook on things.

“It was great knowing that he would take me under his wing and become close to me. He really impacted my life knowing that he would take time out of his life to help me through a hard time,” sophomore Pendley said.

Pendley is on the golf team and was acquainted with Porter beforehand but this incident changed their relationship completely.

“Coach Porter really taught me that a healthy relationship with teachers is good because they can always help you when you need something and they actually mean something in the long run,” Pendley said.

The relationship between a student and a teacher is special, it sure was for Luke.

“Anytime I get the chance, I stop by and see how he is doing.  “The impact coach Porter has had on my life will last a lifetime,” Pendley said.