Jacob Caudill is a new face at John I. Burton High School. He teaches eighth, ninth, and tenth grade Physical Education, along with Driver's Education. "I didn't expect to get the job, but I really wanted it. Everything worked out really great," he said.
Many students at JIB already know Coach Caudill because he has been coaching sports here for several years. This year, he is helping with football and basketball, and he will be the new varsity head baseball coach in the spring.
Caudill previously worked at L.F. Addington Middle School in Wise as a Physical Education teacher but has never held a position as a high school teacher. Before holding any teaching jobs, Caudill worked at Lowe's and with his dad's company working on telephone poles.
Caudill is an alumnus of John I. Burton, graduating in 2008. He attended college at Mountain Empire Community College for one year and continued to UVA Wise and graduated from there. He received his bachelor's degree with a major in Health and Physical Fitness and a minor in Education.
"The adjustment to the school was pretty easy, thanks to Dr. Goforth and Mr. Helton," Caudill said. The biggest challenge for Coach Caudill so far has been the difference between how his students act depending on if they're in the Gym or the Health room, "They like to talk more in the Health room," he says. "The experience has been great, I feel back at home in Burton," Caudill said.
Outside of school, Coach Caudill and his wife, who will soon have two children, love to do outdoor activities. Some of their favorite activities are camping, deer and turkey hunting, fishing, and hiking. "We don't use the TV or play video games a lot; we love the outdoors," he says.