Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

Jason Campbell, a 12th-grade English teacher and basketball coach at Northbrook High School (NHS), once aspired to become a professional basketball player.

However, he quickly learned that at 5'10", he was up against towering competition and probably needed to shift his focus. He decided to pursue coaching basketball, which later led him down a path to teaching—one that he has found immensely rewarding and a decision he's not once regretted.

Defining moments

With 21 years of experience in education, Campbell has plenty of defining moments that have shaped his career and how he approaches his work with students.

He recalls a pivotal moment when he assigned his students to write and recite poetry. One student in his class was quiet, reserved, and struggling with personal issues. When this student approached the front of the class, he wore baggy clothes and appeared quite disheveled. As he read his poem about striving to change, he revealed a polo shirt and khaki pants beneath his sloppy attire. His words moved everyone to tears.

"It was an impactful moment for me as a teacher, and reinforced my belief that every student, no matter their struggles, is trying to do their best," Campbell said. "The experience solidified my teaching philosophy of never overlooking a student and to keep working with them, no matter what."

He recalls another student, a basketball player passionate about learning beyond the court. Campbell recognized something special about this young man and took a keen interest in his growth and development. The student eventually went to college and is now a basketball coach and science teacher at Northbrook Middle School. For Campbell, it was rewarding to see this student come full circle.

"Investing time and energy in students is incredibly important. You never know how it will impact their careers and lives in general," Campbell said, a reminder of the value and appreciation students feel when they know someone is investing in their future.

When asked about his favorite teaching moment, he, without hesitation, points to graduation. He attends the ceremony each year, watching with pride as his students step into the next phase of their lives. The ultimate reward is seeing them achieve their goals and face new challenges.

The art and heart of teaching

Campbell's guiding principle is simple yet powerful: "It matters, and they matter."

"I tell my students that the things they are learning matter — and that each of us as individuals matter," he said. "I also want them to know grades are not an indicator of how successful they will be outside the classroom later in life."

And as with most educators, Campbell believes in always working to hone his craft.

"The work of a teacher is never done, even in the summer months. We always must be looking and learning about new approaches to teaching concepts, managing a classroom, and preparing lessons," Campbell said, a testament to his dedication to continuous learning that inspires others to do the same.

In addition to constantly learning about new teaching approaches, Campbell is working to hone his Spanish skills. He's trying to do so to better communicate with parents and empower them, making them active participants in their children's education.

"If students know they have the support of their teachers and parents, it's a win-win situation," Campbell said.

Campbell often hosts parents' nights at local restaurants to strengthen school-family relationships.

"Being an educator is not a 9-to-5 job," Campbell said. "It takes an incredible amount of time, energy, and dedication outside the classroom."

Infusing fresh energy

Having spent over two decades as an educator, Campbell consistently seeks ways to maintain his passion for teaching. He achieves this by being himself and enjoying time with his students. Additionally, he aims to create assignments that encourage students to explore beyond the classroom.

"What truly motivates me is witnessing the moment when a student's face lights up — when they finally grasp a concept or idea, and the material starts to resonate," Campbell said.

Inspiring creativity and igniting imaginations

Outside the classroom, Campbell has several interests, including being a published author of a book titled Stranger Danger. He hopes that by sharing this about himself, he will inspire his students to do the same — to use their imagination to create and tell stories.

"Nothing is holding them back from achieving their goals and accomplishing whatever they want to in life," he said.

Summing it up

If Campbell had to describe teaching in three words, they would be "Never Give Up."

"Teaching is rewarding, but sometimes we inevitably fail. When we do, we need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and persevere to help our students reach their full potential," he said.

Much like coaching a team through a tough season, Campbell approaches teaching with the same strategy: patience, adaptability, and unwavering belief in all the players on his roster. Some students need more time to find their rhythm. Others surprise him with buzzer-beater breakthroughs. But for Campbell, every student deserves the same chance to step onto the court of life confidently.

For Campbell, the true game is about more than points on a scoreboard — it's about helping students feel that they belong in the game at all. He believes that this will always be worth the full-court press.

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