Wasilla Middle School teacher returns to his roots

WASILLA -- Fifteen years ago, Jason McCourt stood in the gym of what was then Wasilla Junior High School, shooting free throws as a member of the school's basketball team. Now, he sits on the bench as the head coach of that team.

He can walk the halls of Wasilla Middle School and see classrooms where he sat -- and find his own classroom, where he now teaches. Some of the same people who taught him years ago are now his colleagues.

For McCourt, a 1992 graduate of Wasilla High School, returning to his roots and teaching in a school he went to years ago was a natural fit.

"It's great to be raised in these schools and now be back teaching youth in the same school I passed through," McCourt said.

McCourt was born in Alaska and moved to the Valley in 1983. He has lived here ever since, except for when he attended college.

The Valley is home to him, and he said he would have a hard time leaving Alaska.

Following high school, McCourt attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and ultimately graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He moved into a full-time teaching position at Wasilla Middle School two years ago.

He teaches math and science, and he often turns to one of his true loves to help get ideas for his lesson plans -- sports.

Sports have always been a big part of McCourt's life. He has played in a men's basketball league for years, and plays softball each summer. When not playing, he loves to stay involved as a coach. Coaching allows him to weave two of his passions -- sports and teaching -- together.

"I like being around the kids. With coaching, you get to teach them about athletics and sports, but also about life, too," McCourt said. "It's something I really enjoy doing."

Last year, McCourt was the assistant coach for the WMS boys' basketball team. This year, he took over the head coaching position and guided the Braves to a fourth-place finish in the state.

A quarterback in high school, McCourt also enjoys coaching football. For three years, he coached at the youth level before joining Nathan Ford's coaching staff at Wasilla High School. He has been one of Wasilla's assistant coaches for four years now, and looks forward to more seasons with the Warriors.

"It's a lot of fun to be involved in coaching youth," McCourt said.

When he isn't teaching, playing sports or coaching, he said he can often be found at a local sports game. He is looking forward to this weekend's state high school basketball tournament, he said.