Joe Quinn: More than an educator, more than a coach

Joe Quinn is a firework salesman, father and AC/DC enthusiast. Despite these labels however, for almost 20 years the community of Polson has known him by his surname, often linked with Mr. or Coach.

From Butte, Quinn didn’t always dream of being an educator after he graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in wildlife biology. His first few summers post-graduation were spent working a variety of different field work and research jobs.

After a prompting from his aunt, Quinn decided to return to school to become a teacher. 

He began his career teaching and coaching a variety of ages in Charlo. 

He and his family eventually moved to Polson in the mid 2000s and he has become a fixture in the education and development of the youth in this community. From the high school science classroom, to the field, court and track, he's worked with a variety of age groups. 

Quinn begins most mornings with the same ritual of getting in early to set up labs, check messages, and get the classroom ready for the day. Despite the changing landscape of online learning, phones, and a different generation of students, the goals are still the same. In fact, for Quinn coaching and teaching go hand in hand.

In many ways Quinn articulated this when talking about his student-teacher relationship. “You both have the same goal.” 

For the middle school basketball coach and high school science teacher it’s often about the next play, assignment or day, and the importance of building teamwork. “If we are both on the same team, we’re both working to improve,” he said.

While Quinn acknowledges the importance of long-term goals, he also stresses how important it is to set small attainable goals on the road to success. For the veteran teacher, his long-term goal is to help students become successful athletes, students, but most importantly, to go into the world and be good people.

When reflecting on how the community can walk alongside students, athletes, and teachers to help ensure success it boiled down to one word: “Trust.” 

Quinn acknowledged the role that social media can play and the negativity it can bring to students in the classroom. But for Quinn a lot of the success of a team or classroom is dependent on trust in teachers who are working with young people and are actively invested in their success. 

It’s hard to speak for all teachers, but when it comes to Mr. Quinn, his care for students is clear. “Holy heck, I would do anything for a kid,” he said. 

It’s not just his word you should take. Former students and parents use words like “passionate,” “energetic,” “caring,” and “the heart of the science department” to describe the PHS educator. It's safe to say this community is a better place thanks to Joe Quinn, but you're not likely to hear him saying that. 

    Joe Quinn works on his computer before class. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)