You may have seen him running on the track or riding his bike to school, but you may have never formally met him; meet English teacher and girls track and field coach Blake Magnuson, an incredible teacher, mentor, colleague and friend who has served the Niles West community since June 1994.
Magnuson attended Hinsdale Central High School and later attended North Park University. His love for reading and literature led him to become an English teacher at West, where he has helped his students improve and become better writers.
Magnuson got a job at West at age 27 after his journey to become a pastor didn’t work out. Magnuson proceeded to do various cold calls to many schools, upon which the English director at North talked to him and liked him. The director proceeded to tell Magnuson that though North wasn’t hiring, West was. Magnuson took the job at West as an English teacher, which was perfect timing because he and his wife had a baby on the way.
Senior Lorelai Mandal mentioned how Magnuson’s approach to her as a student helped her improve as a writer.
“I realized the best teachers are the ones who are hardest on you and have you learn from your mistakes, and he really did that as a teacher. By the end of the year, I became a much better writer,” Mandal said.
Magnuson’s impact has not only been noticed by his students but also by his colleagues. Vachee Loughran and Magnuson have worked together since 1998 and have coached cross country and track together for 10 years. Loughran remarked that Magnuson’s career at West is one that can only be described as successful.
“[Magnuson] is finishing off a wonderful career with an outstanding girls track team and some standout individuals. His career at Niles West, in and out of the classroom, is one of envy and a perfect example of success,” Loughran said.
Magnuson’s departure from West is bittersweet, as he will miss many of his colleagues and students. Magnuson has grown to love teaching and will miss teaching students what he feels is important.
“I’ll miss the fun that I had with some of [my colleagues], and I’ll also miss teaching some of the things that I think are important, interesting and helpful,” Magnuson said.
Despite his love for teaching, Magnuson is counting down the days until retirement, but not because he doesn’t enjoy teaching; rather, he is excited to have the freedom and control over his time.
“I’m looking forward to retirement to have control over my time. I’m not counting down the days because the work I’m doing is unpleasant. It’s actually stimulating, exciting and fun on most occasions, while also being frustrating at times. [I’m looking forward] to having control over my time and to have leisurely mornings, like I have in the summers,” Magnuson said.
Magnuson also reflected on his time as a coach and how he enjoyed coaching athletes and watching them improve, while also getting to know them outside of the classroom in something they are willingly participating in.
“It’s really fun to coach because seeing athletes improve is amazing. That includes the top athletes and the ones who didn’t start nearly as fast. The other part is getting to know students outside of a classroom in an activity they’re engaging in by choice,” Magnuson said.
Magnuson also mentioned the impact the track and cross-country girls and boys have had on him.
“It’s such a great group of people. I would say if you’re pessimistic about the world we live in, then come meet my track girls; you won’t be. If they’re the future, then we have a great future, and that goes for the boys too,” Magnuson said.
Magnuson’s contribution to West as a teacher, colleague and coach will be remembered for years to come. As Magnuson’s time at West is coming to an end, he is entering a new chapter in his life, but he will forever be remembered for all that he did. Thank you, Mr. Magnuson for all that you’ve done, and congratulations!
