Scott Garber

Age: 34
Education: Glenville State College and West Virginia University
Family: Wife, Rebecca, and son, Wade
Pets: Two dogs and one cat
Hobbies: Sports, hunting and fishing
Favorite Book: ﾓThe Blind Sideﾔ by Michael Lewis

As students return to the halls for the 2010-2011 school year, 1994 PCHS graduate Scott Garber, of Dunmore, will return to those hallowed halls as the new forestry teacher.

Taking the place of his mentor, Mike Burns, Garber is leaving the forest to bring his knowledge and experience to the students of his alma mater.

After receiving degrees from Glenville State College and West Virginia University, Garber entered the forestry work force in West Virginia, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Tennessee and New York.

Keeping his eyes on returning to Pocahontas County, Garber began looking for jobs and, after a phone conversation with Burns, found what he was looking for.

ﾓI was lucky for one, that the job was open, and two, because I was on a term position in New York for the Forest Service that ended May 28,ﾔ Garber said. ﾓPrior to the four year term ending, I was kind of sending out feelers to see what I could get and what was open. I just so happened to talk to Mr. Burns to see if he knew of anything in the area and he goes, ﾑfunny you ask, Iﾒm retiring, you might as well throw your name in the hat if youﾒre interested.ﾒﾔ

Garber never anticipated taking his career into the education field, but he is excited to enter the classroom and pick up where Burns ended.

ﾓIﾒm looking forward to the interaction with the kids for the most part and to show them thereﾒs a little more out there than in the forestry field,ﾔ he said. ﾓYou can go anywhere in the country and, nowadays, anywhere in the world if you really want.ﾔ

At the close of school last year, Garber spent a week with Burns in the classroom.

ﾓI went around with him for a week and that was a lot of help,ﾔ he said. ﾓI met a couple of my aides and couple of the kids Iﾒll have.ﾔ

One of Garberﾒs main goals for the year is to revive the forestry team program. Being an alum of an award winning team, he hopes to get the program back on track. Heﾒd also like to get back to coaching.

ﾓObviously, my first priority is the forestry classes and forestry team, but Iﾒd love to get back into coaching,ﾔ he said. ﾓI coached a little when I was at Glenville, I was a student assistant for one year. Then I was an assistant at Tech and helped my brother out when I was in Charleston at Sissonville High School. Itﾒs been five or six years since Iﾒve coached. I miss the smell of the gym and hearing the squeaky shoes.ﾔ

With a new career ahead of him, Garber is sure of one thing ﾖ thereﾒs no place like home.