Coupeville Sports

Tom Black discusses game strategy with his grandson. (Photo courtesy Laura Black)

Of all the coaches I’ve worked with, Ken Stange remains the very definition of a straight shooter.

A longtime teacher, both here in Coupeville, and before that, in reservation schools, he’s never had much time for self-serving crap.

He’s an unvarnished truth speaker, and when he talks, I tend to listen.

I hope others do to, as Stange lays out his thoughts on the budget cut-related decision to eliminate the Dean of Students position, ending Tom Black’s 19-year run in Coupeville Schools hallways.

Ken Stange has some words o’ wisdom for you. (Jackie Saia photo)

When I think of Tom Black, I think of one of my very best friends I had at CHS. He was “there” in so many ways.

Professionally, he was one of the few people I knew that had his ear to the ground.

That helped me negotiate the ins and outs of relationships with kids who were struggling with life outside of school.

Everyone knows that Tom is a major reason why kids finished school … stayed out of jail … chose to stay alive.

I felt a kinship with Tom in that way.

I taught English, Yearbook, and coached tennis, but first and foremost, I was focused on the kids and how I could help them deal with school and a complex life.

I can’t speak for other staff members, but Tom talked me off more than a few ledges back in the day.

He helped me with my own personal problems, which in turn made me more able to handle 150 students more effectively.

Personally, Tom had been a great friend to me.

When I had surgery, Tom was there to take me to and from the hospital.

He listened to me cry when life seemed to crumble.

He gave me a hug when I needed it.

He gave me sage parental advice.

I remember when I started at CHS in the fall of 2004. I met Tom and wondered what the heck his job description was.

It didn’t take me long to see that he was part mental health counselor, part teacher, part administrator, part mentor, and so much more.

After my first year, it was clear to me that Tom’s unwritten job description was the person who catches anyone who fell through a crack.

If six teachers, including me, miss something about a kid in trouble, there was Tom, right there helping that kid to find a better peace and a better path.

If me or another teacher noticed something off about a kid, there was Tom, helping us to understand, and if Tom didn’t know what was wrong, he’d find out.

Tom is the guy that kids trust.

Tom is the guy that teachers and administrators can lean on and look to for help with kids in trouble.

Tom is the guy who is like a parent or trusted advisor to many kids.

I get budget cuts, but this one is going to hurt.

I’m also afraid it won’t be noticeable at first.

It takes a while to notice cracks and what’s slipping through them.

I hope that the district can find a way to reverse this decision.

Tom Black is easily some of the best money the district can spend to ensure that those kids who quietly slip through the cracks can be caught and lifted back up.