Episode Details

Matt Wolcott on Teaching, Coaching, and Finishing the School Year Strong in La Grande Brett Smith and Scott Carpenter host the Turning Point Podcast with guest Matt Wolcott, a 26-year La Grande School District educator who currently teaches high school physical education and health. Wolcott discusses additional work including teaching an officiating course to recruit young officials and helping launch the district’s driver’s education program after the regional program ended, ensuring compliance with ODOT. He outlines his coaching history as a head coach in wrestling, football, and track (now in his sixth year), and talks about the challenges of balancing teaching, coaching, and family life with four children, including coaching his own kids. The conversation highlights the busy spring schedule of field trips, testing, graduation, and state events, the flexibility required to support heavily involved students, and how students’ growth and resilience keep Wolcott motivated.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

00:25 End of Year School Rush

01:27 Meet Matt Wolcott

02:04 Teaching Roles and New Courses

02:58 Drivers Ed Program Story

04:03 Coaching Journey Across Sports

05:08 Balancing Coaching and Family

09:09 Coaching Your Own Kids

11:08 Springtime at the High School

16:13 Why Teaching Still Matters

18:36 Finish Strong Closing Thoughts