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Business News
Grain Valley, MO —
Grain Valley activities director Mike Tarrants is gearing up for a new school year.
His day usually starts around 5 a.m. and once the slate of school activities start, it will end after 10 p.m.
“I can’t wait for the first day of school,” said Tarrants, as he opened his laptop to find out what that day’s activities might include. “It energizes me being around the kids. When you put in the hours our staff does here at the high school, you need some energy.
“From the moment I step into the building and around the kids and our staff, I’m ready to go. And this is such an exciting time of year. Whether you’re talking about coach (Jimmy) Tucker’s second year with the football team or our debate or theater departments – this is the time of year when you’re wondering what’s going to happen, how successful you’re going to be and you just can’’t wait for it all to happen.”
Tarrants faced some challenges his first year as Tucker replaced Grain Valley coaching icon Forrest Rovello and Randy Draper came on board to coach the girls basketball team (after a lengthy career as the boys coach, along with coaching boys and girls tennis squads).
“We knew what to expect from Randy,” Tarrants said, “because he was still on staff with the tennis teams. And coach Tucker was just a great addition to our staff. You watch him with his players or with kids in the community and you can tell he really cares about them.
“But you could say that about anyone on our staff. With every member of our staff, it’s character first and foremost.”
Tarrants’ desk is spotless as he begins his second year as the Eagles’ activities director.
“When you do something you’ve done before, it’s easier,” Tarrants said. “Last year at this time, I was still trying to get my bearings. This year, I hit the ground rolling and ready to go.”
That’s not to say, however, that there aren't times the job can be intimidating.
“Intimidating? Absolutely,” Tarrants said. “That’s when you rely on the people around you, and we have a great support staff from my assistant, Stephanie Graham, to everyone else in the building. We’re all here for each other – that’s how you make it work.”
The move for Tarrants was a logical one, as he started in the classroom and was a coach. He served as an assistant principal at the high school until longtime AD Jeff Tebbenkamp announced his retirement at the end of the last school year.
“When you teach or coach you feel that connection with your students or your players,” Tarrants said, “and now, in this position, I feel that connection with every student and staff member in the school.”
Grain Valley activities director Mike Tarrants is gearing up for a new school year.
His day usually starts around 5 a.m. and once the slate of school activities start, it will end after 10 p.m.
“I can’t wait for the first day of school,” said Tarrants, as he opened his laptop to find out what that day’s activities might include. “It energizes me being around the kids. When you put in the hours our staff does here at the high school, you need some energy.
“From the moment I step into the building and around the kids and our staff, I’m ready to go. And this is such an exciting time of year. Whether you’re talking about coach (Jimmy) Tucker’s second year with the football team or our debate or theater departments – this is the time of year when you’re wondering what’s going to happen, how successful you’re going to be and you just can’’t wait for it all to happen.”
Tarrants faced some challenges his first year as Tucker replaced Grain Valley coaching icon Forrest Rovello and Randy Draper came on board to coach the girls basketball team (after a lengthy career as the boys coach, along with coaching boys and girls tennis squads).
“We knew what to expect from Randy,” Tarrants said, “because he was still on staff with the tennis teams. And coach Tucker was just a great addition to our staff. You watch him with his players or with kids in the community and you can tell he really cares about them.
“But you could say that about anyone on our staff. With every member of our staff, it’s character first and foremost.”
Tarrants’ desk is spotless as he begins his second year as the Eagles’ activities director.
“When you do something you’ve done before, it’s easier,” Tarrants said. “Last year at this time, I was still trying to get my bearings. This year, I hit the ground rolling and ready to go.”
That’s not to say, however, that there aren't times the job can be intimidating.
“Intimidating? Absolutely,” Tarrants said. “That’s when you rely on the people around you, and we have a great support staff from my assistant, Stephanie Graham, to everyone else in the building. We’re all here for each other – that’s how you make it work.”
The move for Tarrants was a logical one, as he started in the classroom and was a coach. He served as an assistant principal at the high school until longtime AD Jeff Tebbenkamp announced his retirement at the end of the last school year.
“When you teach or coach you feel that connection with your students or your players,” Tarrants said, “and now, in this position, I feel that connection with every student and staff member in the school.”
