Dawson Spotlight: Cal Govang
Have you met Mr. Cal Govang yet?Cal Govang received his bachelor's degree from Kent State University and previously taught for the Dawson College Bound program for three summers. After teaching second grade in Akron, Ohio, Cal relocated to Las Vegas where he took a long-term substitute role and became the Head Coach of Dawson’s first-ever baseball team. You can learn more about him in this edition of the #DawsonSpotlight.
How long have you been a teacher or worked in education?
Two years as a classroom teacher and three summers as a Dawson College Bound teacher.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always loved math and the subject comes easy to me. In high school, my friends sought out help from me and I enjoyed the process of helping them develop a deep understanding of algebra concepts. When I became an instructor at Dawson’s College Bound program, the experience cemented my love for working with kids.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching and coaching at Dawson?
Dawson is a special school where the focus is on the whole child. I like how the students look to the adults on campus for connections and you can see how these relationships help kids to grow and mature. Last year, I was a chaperone at the seventh-grade trip and that experience allowed me to learn more about our students and how they engage with each other. I used these connections as Dawson’s baseball coach to help mentor and motivate the players.
What is one thing about you that would surprise students?
In my senior year of high school, I tried out for my school’s diving team on a bet from my dad. I ended up loving the sport as it came naturally because I had grown up with a trampoline. To this day, I regret not starting diving sooner.
What does our throughline, Level Up, mean to you?
Leveling up is a personal mantra for me because I aspire to change something every day that will help me achieve my goals. I believe in incremental steps towards improvement, from implementing new teaching strategies that will deepen my students understanding to working out. I run towards challenges that involve opportunities for self-growth.
What are you most proud of?
Being able to accomplish my dreams and goals of moving to Las Vegas and working at Dawson.
Do you have any career highlights that you’d like to note and share with our community?
I graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University and earned a dual teaching license in Ohio and Nevada. I also launched Dawson’s first baseball team last spring and look forward to a winning season in the spring with many returning players.
Thank you for sitting in the spotlight, Cal!
Watch him QuickFire Q&A in the hot seat on Instagram!
Watch him QuickFire Q&A in the hot seat on Instagram!
Check out all of our #DawsonSpotlight features here.
The Alexander Dawson School
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain, an independent school located on 33-acres in the community of Summerlin, is Nevada’s first Stanford University Challenge Success partner school for students in early childhood through grade eight. Utilizing the unique Challenge Success framework, Dawson uses research-based strategies and programs that emphasize student academics, wellbeing, and a healthy school-life balance to create more engaged, motivated, and resilient learners and leaders. At Dawson, students achieve their individual potential while savoring life and meeting the challenges of the world.