Coaches in the Classroom Presented by COUNTRY Financial
The OSSAA & COUNTRY Financial are teaming up to recognize the efforts of coaches who go beyond the call of duty to positively impact the lives of Oklahoma high school student-athletes inside and outside of the classroom. Know a coach who deserves the spotlight? Share with them today and help us recognize their hard work and dedication!
COUNTRY Financial will recognize 4 different coaches throughout the school year. They will be recognized on Oct. 1st, Dec. 1st, Feb. 1st, and April 1st. Submissions will be accepted until the last recipient is recognized.
Share with a coach that should be recognized all of their hardwork! for Submit HERE: COUNTRY Financial Coaches in the Classroom Form
Our first recipient is Michael Shaw, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Teacher and Assistant Soccer Coach at Bixby High School!
Name
Michael Shaw
What school do you coach and teach at?
Bixby High School
Current teaching role & coaching role. Please provide some history of your career.
I currently teach Marketing and Entrepreneurship classes to students in grades 9-12. I also have an employment class to help students with resumes, interviews, and being a good employee. I am also an assistant coach on Bixby’s girls soccer team.
What is the most rewarding part of being a teacher at your school?
The most rewarding part for me is the relationships I establish with the students. To me, this is important as it leads to a more engaging classroom environment.
What are some ways you continue to motivate your classroom and students?
I believe the courses that I teach are relevant to a student’s daily life. Students are being marketed to every day and in all forms. Students realize this even more now as they go about their daily lives. As they start to earn money, they tend to make better buying decisions.
Share your best teaching story or memory.
I shared a business cycle with my students about saving money for a dream car. Do the work-receive payment-save for the goal-purchase the dream car. I had two students who started a vending machine business over the following summer. At the beginning of school the following year, they had drawn the diagram from the previous year. It was very rewarding to me that they applied that concept.
Give an example of how you have best felt supported in your education career.
Bixby High School administration is great at offering valuable professional development days throughout the school year. Teachers are allowed to collaborate in sharing new ideas or methods to help enhance a student’s learning.
What is the most rewarding part of being a coach?
Seeing a player’s growth is probably the most rewarding aspect of being a coach. A player improving as a player not only helps that player but also benefits the team.
Favorite game, meet, memory, or moment from coaching so far?
The best memory is winning the 6A girls state championship in 2026. Seeing the results of the team’s hard work ending up with a championship is very rewarding as a coach.
What are some ways you continue to motivate your team and build your program?
I normally end each practice with a positive quote of the day. I explain practice concepts and how that translates to a game environment. I attend their club games when I’m able to.
What is or was your team’s mindset/motto heading into this year’s season?
Team motto was:
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
