Belton alumni return as teachers

Tanner Jones, Sports Co-Editor
August 28, 2009
Filed under News

When students graduate some students think that they will never step into the Belton High School again. But two alumni of Belton now plan to spend a part of their life as new teachers for Belton High School. Instead of spending the usual four years here, the two alumni plan to add some more years.

David Mannell and Zac Elgin are the two new teachers that joined staff this year. They both are former student and graduates of Belton High. Elgin is a Special Ed teacher and Mannell is an American and world history teacher.

 Both Mannell and Elgin are glad to be back. Elgin says it amazing to be back and Mannell says it’s awesome to be back.

 “It’s good to be back,” Mannel said. “I even already know my way around here.”

 Mannell is also the new boys soccer coach. He spent part of his summer coming out to off season, getting to know most of the players. Elgin is a fan of Belton athletics as well. He wants them to be good just as much as any of the players. Both Mannell and Elgin played sports while they attended Belton.

 When it comes to how it’s been for them while they have been back, they have different opinions. Mannell says it’s great to be back while Elgin thinks it’s a little different.

 “It’s a little weird,” Elgin said. “I’m not used to seeing my old teachers as peers and having my own room.”

 But they both enjoy what they are doing. Elgin worked summer school in the Passage House which had a big influence on why he became a teacher. Mannell is just a lover of history and wants to share his love with his students.

 “I love history,” Mannell said. “It’s good to teach kids what I love.”

 Coming back to Belton as a teacher gives a different aspect of things than from being a student. But Belton has not changed much, even to Elgin.

 “There hasn’t been any change,” Elgin said. “There’s a lot of the same stuff, but my aspect on things has changed.”

 Mannell attended college at Truman State University. Elgin, after spending two years at Longview, attended Missouri Western State University.