Middle school math teacher second generation at CCS.

    Chase County Schools welcomes Brian Strand to the teaching staff.
    Strand is teaching fifth and sixth grade math and volunteers as a coach for football.
    After graduating from CCS in May 2003, he later attended Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. He graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Elementary Education with an endorsement in middle school mathematics.
    Following graduation, Strand returned home to farm with his dad and uncle from  2010-2015. During this time he was also a substitute teacher at CCS.
    He accepted his first full-time teaching position in August 2015 in the Alma Public School system. He taught math, science, reading, language and spelling in fourth and fifth grades, along with fifth and sixth grade history.
    He was also an assistant coach for track and the eight-man football team. He became registered as a high school basketball referee while there.
    Strand is married to Sarah, and they have a year-and-a-half-old son, Oliver. His parents are Agnes and Wayne Strand of Imperial, and he has two siblings, a brother and sister. Agnes Strand is in her ninth year teaching music at CCS. Brian Strand said he became a teacher because he enjoys working with youths.
    “Their enthusiasm is contagious and greater than the adult world,” he added.
    He wants to inspire in them the idea that they can succeed.
    “If you work a it, you can accomplish anything,” he commented.
    He revealed that he struggled through school. He had a teacher who took him under his wing and helped him overcome his struggles so he could achieve success in a career. It was because of this influence he was led to become a teacher and help children who were also struggling.
    Strand said he played football in school and found that he was good at it.
    “Sports can help you find yourself by giving you confidence in all you do,” he stated.
    He added that he was not sure if he would have gone to college if it weren’t for football.
    “It was the window that gave me the opportunity and drive to go to college. It motivated me to get a teaching degree,” he said.
    Teaching and coaching are parallel opportunities to help even the least gifted student discover that they can succeed if they put their mind to it, Strand said.
    “I have a strong passion for education,” he declared.
    When not at school, Strand likes watching sports, especially football.
    He also enjoys flying, and acquired his pilot’s licence in June 2017.