Wallace joins Potomac staff

John "Ike" Wallace is known to his new students at Potomac School as a teacher of multiple strengths who feels humbled each time he walks into the classroom. He said he enjoys the challenges that come with teaching.

Wallace graduated from Missoula's Hellgate High School in 2009. He proceeded to graduate from Montana State University in 2014 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Minor in K-12 Reading.

At Potomac School, Wallace teaches English language arts to sixth grade, math to seventh graders and physical education for grades kindergarten - third and sixth grade. He is also one of the new teachers for the Explorers after school program on Fridays.

In addition to teaching at Potomac, Wallace coaches cross country at Hellgate High and said "Go Knights and Pioneers!"

Prior to Potomac, Wallace taught in Billings from Sept 2015 to June 2018 at Pioneer Elementary and Bitterroot Elementary.

"In the spring of 2018 I found myself ready to return to Missoula. When I saw that Potomac was hiring, I applied immediately," he said.

Making a difference in the lives of youth is what Wallace strives for through teaching.

Wallace said engaging his students is a rewarding challenge. He looks for unique ways to make connections with his students.

Wallace's hopes and dreams for this school year include facilitating educational experiences for his students that will challenge them to become community oriented, open-minded, creative, confident individuals, capable of solving any problem they're faced with.

"I plan to make this year interesting, memorable and rewarding not only for my students, but for myself as well," said Wallace.

Wallace commutes from his home in Missoula and is an animal lover. In his down time he enjoys many hobbies including reading, writing, sewing, making music, fly fishing, hunting, gardening, photography, skateboarding, hockey, hiking, biking and running.

"I've become a better man through my experiences as an educator," said Wallace. "I know that if I can succeed in this profession, that I'm capable of achieving greater heights. Yet at the same time, making a difference in the lives of youth through teaching might be the greatest height there is to reach."