Choosing a career is an important decision in everyone’s life. Most look for a job that they will enjoy and can make an impact with. Jared Black is a teacher at Altus High School, and he says that he knew early on what he wanted to do.

“I decided I wanted to coach and teach when I was in junior high,” he said. “My teachers and coaches made a big impact on my life. Tom Heidebrecht, Alan Hibler, and a college professor, Dennis Williams, all probably had the biggest impact on me. They challenged me in different ways and points in my life. I grew up in Hydro, Oklahoma, and I think our elementary faculty was probably as good as you could ever hope to have. I was really blessed to grow up there. I wanted to have that same impact on my students and players. It has taken some time, but I feel like I am finally getting better at finding opportunities to make a positive impact.”

Black teaches Senior Capstone, and he also serves as the head coach of the girls’ basketball team, coaching fifth through twelfth grades. In the spring, he will also coach junior high girls’ golf. He is in his first year as a teacher at Altus. Before that, he was the head women’s basketball coach at Western Oklahoma State College.

Whether he is in the classroom or in the gym, Jared enjoys seeing the kids grow into the people they will become.

I enjoy watching students grow,” he stated. “I try to shape a good environment around them and then let them do the work of maturing.”

Jared and his wife, April, have two daughters, Kierstyn and Aunika. When he is not teaching or coaching, Black has other ways that he enjoys to spend his time.

“I read a lot of books on various topics and revisit the ones I like often,” he said. “I recently got a blue belt in jiu jitsu, that’s been a really great journey for me because I am not naturally good at it, and that forced me to remember what learning new skills is like. I think it helps me be a better teacher and coach.”