Teacher, 1988-now
George Coombs has been a Humanities teacher in the High School since 1988.
In an article in Dragon Tales (Summer 2009), George wrote that for him, teaching is a vocation, a calling. “I always wanted to be a teacher. My own high school teachers as well as my uncle who taught high school inspired me.”
George reported that when he was growing up, service was a regular part of his high school experience, but that when he came to HKIS in 1988 there was just a “Day of Giving”, no Humanities I in Action program.
The article continues, “High School Principal Jim Handrich wanted a more formative service program, and in response, High School teacher Marty Schmidt and George began to explore ways to deepen the service ethos at the school. Today, half of HKIS High School students participate in service on Saturday and almost half of our 9th graders take Humanities I In Action, which includes service.”
Marty, who is still George’s fellow Humanities teacher at the school, commented, “George has been an enthusiastic supporter of the arts for more than a quarter century at HKIS. He is among the most faithful attendees of plays, concerts, and art exhibitions, and has attracted students for years to his Opera Club. George understands that the pursuit of beauty trains the soul in perceiving ‘eternity in a grain of sand,’ as he frequently tells students. George’s winsome personality, genuine interest in students, and love of all things psychological has left an indelible impression on many students and colleagues over his many years at HKIS.”
Mark Sheldon, who was the Director of HKIS’ Office of Institutional Advancement (as it was then called) from 2006 to 2009, describes George as “one of the most dedicated and active Humanities teachers in the history of HKIS, and a superb and positive force and influence on many many students. He is dedicated and hard-working, with broad intellectual and artistic interests; is intellectually curious and broad-minded, and is a great mentor and model for High School students heading to rigorous colleges and universities.”