The James Logan Courier

By Jennifer Torres, Courier Staff Writer

Tom Woodhead is a recent addition to the Logan staff, but he's not new to Logan. He's a graduate who's returned to become a teacher.

For now, he teaches vocational education and coaches the James Logan Forensics program's debate team. He currently teaches periods 1, 2, and 4 and works with students ranging from freshmen to seniors.


Though Woodhead has been coaching debate for seven years, this is his first year with a paid contract as a teacher. However, he did not always want to pursue a teaching career, “Both my parents were teachers and I didn’t think the work was worth the pay.”

His feelings began to shift when he graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz. After coaching debate for seven years he found that working with kids and helping them achieve success was “something worthwhile to dedicate your life to.” He said that he felt debate was a great subject to prepare students not only for college but for life.

As a returning alumnus of Logan, Woodhead said that he likes being back and also commented that “its weird having old teachers as new colleagues.” Even after interning and coaching at other schools he says that Logan so far is the best public school he’s ever experienced.

When he's not in his classroom, you may find him on the basketball courts or taking photos or just simply outdoors enjoying nature.