BY YVETTE OHN

This year, health teacher Jason Heilman was announced as the physical education department teacher of the year. Heilman has been teaching for 11 years and that includes one year of substituting. Heilman will be receiving a certificate at the end of the school year and he cannot wait to get it.

“I was, of course, honored, but at the same time, I felt a little weird because I made the survey and then I won. I am the department chair, so I feel like they might think I rigged the voting, but I swear it was legit voting,” Heilman said.

Heilman explained how it was a close race between the other teachers, but he believes every teacher deserves the department teacher of the year award.

“I do not think I deserve this award. Everybody in this school deserves this award, but I just got lucky this year,” Heilman said.

Heilman is very involved with campus activities and tries to do what is best for his department.

“Heilman is a football coach, started the Fit For Life club and is also in the works of putting together a mentor program for at-risk students,” an anonymous teacher said on a nomination form.

As a young adult, he attended Mt. Sac for two years then he went to Temple University in Philadelphia for two years. Heilman was a coach at first and he liked the interaction with the kids. He later started to substitute. He also went back to school for a teaching credential.

Before he came to WCHS, he worked as instructional aid at Mt. Sac in a high school program. He also worked at Aaron Brothers where he stocked shelves. Heilman’s interest is listening to music, mountain biking and he loves to try new foods. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his daughter.

Heilman likes to think that he can have a positive influence on a young person’s life.

“I want them to feel like there’s someone out there looking out for them and maybe that person is me,” Heilman said.