From Coach to Teacher, Haines Strives to Be a Positive Role Model

SEELEY LAKE - When he's not in the classroom, Brett Haines can be found coaching Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) flag football, boys' and girls' basketball and track. While Haines has coached at SLE for the past six years, this is his first year teaching physical education. He looks forward to being a positive mentor and encouraging students to work hard and participate.

Haines started kindergarten at Holy Cross Lutheran, before SLE offered kindergarten. He spent first through eighth grade at SLE and then graduated from Seeley-Swan High School. Because his father Kim was the principal and coach at SSHS, Haines spent a lot of time at SSHS.

"The range of kids that I know that went through Seeley-Swan High School in this area is just amazing because I was there [at SSHS], even as a little kid. I knew the older kids because I was a gym rat," said Haines.

Haines attended the University of Montana for secondary education for broad-field science envisioning he would be a science teacher and coach. He transferred to Western Montana College to play football.

"Out of high school I thought maybe I would run track in college, or play basketball. It ended up being football," said Haines.

Before he finished his degree, Haines got into logging.

"I loved being outdoors. I loved logging, hunting, fishing and all that. I kind of fell into logging," said Haines.

Haines started logging during the summers with Larry Copenhaver and continued to work for him for several years. He started Haines Contracting in 2008 and continues to own and operate the business.

When SLE's physical education position came open last spring, Superintendent Chris Stout asked Haines if he would be willing to apply for the job. While Haines always saw himself working with the secondary grades, he enjoyed coaching the junior high students.

"I'm getting older, the logging is getting tougher and I get health insurance now along with other benefits of being a teacher. I thought I would give it a shot," said Haines.

A typical class starts out with stretching, core strength exercises including sit ups, pushups and lunges, running and then an activity. Haines adjusts the various activities to fit the age level.

"My view of physical fitness is you have to do something every day, it's not just working out one day a week. That's not going to cut it. Anyone who's trained knows you need to be consistent with it," said Haines.

This year they have completed a kickball unit and are currently playing Razzle Dazzle Touch football, allowing the students to throw unlimited forward passes. Haines is looking forward to starting basketball in the next couple of weeks.

Haines said his biggest challenge has been the kindergarten and first grade students. He said he needs to have a lot of patience and be firm yet kind. Since his coaching experience has been with the fifth through eighth-graders, he appreciates the experience and suggestions from kindergarten teacher Sheila Devins and first grade teacher Maggie Burwick.

"I'm trying to bring positive encouragement to the program this year to try to get the students to try things and work at it," said Haines. "I enjoy getting through to a kid, seeing improvement, bonding with all of them and seeing that I'm having a positive influence. And then you have a little kid that comes up and gives you a hug at the end of the day. It just makes your day."

Haines has three years to complete his teaching certificate. He will be resuming classes in 2017 to finish his degree.

"I'm a first year teacher," said Haines. "When I came in here as a basketball coach I'd played a lot of basketball but never coached it. I change things every year. If something didn't work I would get rid of it. If I had something I liked, I kept it. [Through] trial and error I figured things out. The same applies this year. I don't know everything about teaching. I'm learning every day with my students."

When Haines isn't in the gym or coaching he enjoys spending time with his family. They love to go to the Griz games, hunting, fishing, camping and snowmobiling in the winter.