Staff writer
The current school year at Peabody-Burns has seen a round of young, new teachers, including the new head coach of the Lady Warriors.
Scott Bauer, a 2015 graudate of Tabor College, was a fresh face to the teaching scene when he started with USD 398 this past fall.
“It has been a learning experience as this is my first teaching and coaching job after college,” Bauer said.
Bauer said he played football, basketball, golf, and baseball in high school and was on the Tabor College football from 2010 to 2015, which helped guide him to coaching.
As for where he saw himself after college, Bauer said teaching was not one of his original options.
“I could have made a list of ten professions and teaching wouldn’t have made the cut,” Bauer said, “but life has a funny way of working out, and I couldn’t have found a more perfect profession for myself.”
Bauer, who teaches sixth and seventh grade math, and sixth grade science and physical education, chose the job due to the wide variety of subjects it came with.
“This [job] opportunity came about with multiple subject areas and it seemed perfect for me,” Bauer said. “It keeps me on my toes, and there’s never a dull moment.”
Bauer said another reason for choosing the job was the opportunity to coach basketball, a sport he is passionate about, and to have the same impact on his players that his previous coaches had on him.
“I have had so many great coaches that poured into my life, and now it is my turn to do the same,” Bauer said.
As both a teacher and a coach, Bauer has adapted similar teaching methods in both environments in order to get the most out of his students.
“One thing that I strongly believe in both my classroom and on the court is if you don’t have a relationship with your players, they won’t work for you,” Bauer said. “So, one thing I try my hardest at is getting to know my players and build a relationship with each and every one of them.”
So far this season, the Lady Warriors are 2-11, but Bauer isn’t letting this record get him down in his first year of coaching.
Bauer said he is looking forward to the second half of the basketball season, and hopes to gain some more wins.
“I have seen so much growth in this team from our first practice to where we are at right now,” Bauer said. “We are starting to compete in every game and give ourselves a chance at the end to win, now I just want to see us start to finish more of those close ones off.”
Along with his passion for basketball, Bauer will be transferring his love of golf into his time at Peabody-Burns.
“Golf is one of my biggest passions,” Bauer said, “and I will be the assistant golf coach here this year as well.”
Bauer said that his transition into Peabody has been an easy one, thanks to the community, staff, and students, and that he is thankful for everyone that has helped him thus far.
“Everyone at Peabody has made it very easy,” Bauer said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls, parents, assistant coach, or administration for my first year of teaching and coaching.”