`west Side Story' Still A Winner 
Musical Classic Hits All The Right Notes At The Scranton Cultural Center

3 Borough Employees To Get Safety Equipment

Saturday, February 07, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1C 





Top teacher follows his game plan &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 EDITOR'S NOTE: Each month Times Leader Newspaper In Education coordinators
select a Teacher of the Month from nominations submitted in writing by
students. To be eligible, teachers must use the newspaper as a learning
toolMonthly winners receive a certificate, recognition and are eligible for
the prestigious "Crystal Apple" Teacher of the Year Award. The NIE Teacher of
the Year will be announced at the end of the school year in June. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; By JOHN PLUCENIK &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Times Leader Correspondent &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WRIGHT TWP.- Jim McGovern, a high school teacher at Crestwood Area High
School, had a dream. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My goal in life was to be a Crestwood teacher and coach the football
team," the Mountaintop area native recently reflected. He pursued it and, at
the young age of 25, got exactly what he asked for. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now a few years older, and a lot wiser, the 29-year-old's latest
achievement is much closer to the classroom than the gridiron. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGovern was selected as February's Newspaper In Education Teacher of the
Month. His enthusiasm, passion and drive to get the most out of his students
are always a part of his game plan. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He feels he could never have received such an honor without support from
the home team. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "An award like this- you get busted on being a young guy and all- but I am
a product of the system," says McGovern, a 6-foot-5-inch, 280-pound Crestwood
alumnus. "For someone my age, it is more an accolade for the system." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 He never forgets the "system" that helped guide his career. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I remember when I decided to be a teacher while at Colgate, this was my
goal- to come back here," he says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While the former head coach might not have had as many wins on the field as
he would have liked, McGovern has realized winning is calculated far from the
scoreboard lights on a Friday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We may not be remembered for having some of the greatest athletes, but 10
years from now, we'll have some of the greatest parents, the greatest
employees and the greatest entrepreneurs in this area who come from
Crestwood," McGovern says. "If you keep score in the long run, I think kids
who come from here will be the true winners." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Some of the greatest relationships I have are with the kids I haven't even
had in the classroom," he says. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Having the use of an Internet lab, and using popular components of the NIE
program, McGovern has built a great relationship with many young people, as
evident by the friendly exchanges as he walked down the school's hall. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGovern loves teaching a wide diversity of students from different
backgrounds. He also recognizes he gets a lot of help. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I am surrounded with great people," he says. "The administration here is
the best. The gifted program has come so far because of Dave Bieri (Special
Education department head). Principal Jim Storm in phenomenal. The people here
are super-supportive." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition to numerous teaching assignments, McGovern took an assistant
football coaching assignment at Dallas last year after stepping down from
Crestwood in 1996. The most challenging job he is tackling, however, is with
the mini-team he is building at home. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As the father of three boys- A.J., 6; Tyler, 4; and Connor, 3 months-
McGovern admits his children keep him on his toes. He credits his wife,
Maureen, and his family for giving him the support he needs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "My mother (also named Maureen) is probably my closest friend," says
McGovern. "My grandparents are also tremendous people. Being great people,
they had great children who put an emphasis on family. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The son of a construction worker, McGovern fondly remembers being raised in
Fairview Park, an area that may contrast to the rich image many Mountaintop
area developments now

Top Teacher Follows His Game Plan 
Editor's Note: Each Month Times Leader Newspaper In Education Coordinators 
Select A Teacher Of The Month From Nominations Submitted In Writing By 
Students. To Be Eligible, Teachers Must Use The Newspaper As A Learning Tool.

Top Teacher Follows His Game Plan Editor's Note: Each Month Times Leader Newspaper In Education Coordinators Select A Teacher Of The Month From Nominations Submitted In Writing By Students. To Be Eligible, Teachers Must Use The Newspaper As A Learning Tool.