BallingerNews.com
 BISD Faculty Spotlight |
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Carlton Buchanan
It is very rewarding to me when my former students are successful back at their regular campuses or after graduation. I started my career at 5A Plainview, Texas as a high school Health, P.E teacher, and coach in 1977. I've also taught at Miles, Tulia, Matador (Motley County), and Shamrock. I served as the head football, track coach, and athletic director for two schools a total of eight years. I have also taught K though 12 Health & Physical Education, Drivers Education, and monitored Odyssey students. Besides being a head football coach, I have been an assistant for boys and girls track, football, and, basketball. I coached junior high football in Ballinger for one year which concluded 19 years of coaching. I have a 100% win record in varsity boys basketball having only coached and won a single game at that level. I've coached several athletes to regional and state in track. As a football assistant at Plainview we were in the playoffs seven years in a row. As a teacher I like working with kids of all ages. My motto is, "Ridding the world of ignorance one lesson at a time." My favorite teaching assignment is elementary P.E. A student once asked me where I worked after a fun day of P.E. class. I replied, "This is my job, I work here at the school." She was obviously confused at the thought that teaching P.E. could really be a job. I also like teaching basic math, and writing skills. While working with students they will eventually reach the 'aha moment'. The very moment in time when they finally get it. That's what makes the job worthwhile. In 33 years of teaching I have worked with thousands of kids. By coincidence I run into former students so many times when I travel. I will pull into a gas station or enter a restaurant and I will hear someone call out, "Coach Buck." I love to get a big hug or a brisk handshake and get an update on their lives. Sometimes former students will drop by my home or call and that's really special. I was born in Uvalde, Texas then lived in four different towns before entering the first grade. We were homeless for a short time after losing our home and belongings in the Ozona flood of 1954. My dad's job in oil exploration required us to move often. I lived in seven states and twenty-three additional towns grades one though twelve. I never remembered my home phone number because it changed with each move. I was always behind in school lessons and many of the "teachers" couldn't care less. Some of them fondly called me oilfield, and trailer trash. As a student I felt worthless, dumb, and was very shy. I never raised my hand hoping I wouldn't be noticed. I wished I were invisible and preferred to be alone. In the sixth grade a P.E. teacher beat me with his fists. He commanded the class to get in line, shut up, and face the front. I ran to the line as ordered and was violently attacked for no apparent reason. Witnesses later stated it was a brutal unprovoked attack. I came to on the floor with a bloody nose, and broken glasses. The arrogant man offered no explanation for attacking me when questioned. It is necessary to include my personal school experiences to convey my understanding of troubled, shy, economically disadvantaged, struggling students. If I had been asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Teacher wouldn't have been on my list. A few of my teachers were helpful, and caring like my first coach Mr. Moore.. He urged me to play football in the ninth grade. I had just moved to Marion, Kansas and had never played organized sports. Mr. Moore was a kind and patient gentleman that boosted my self-esteem. I was beginning to understand football then we moved. "Hello," Vernal, Utah, Pampa, TX, and Elk City, Oklahoma. When football practice was to begin my sophomore year at Elk City my Mom insisted I join. I refused assuming we would be moving within a few weeks. (We stayed in Elk City until ten weeks into my Junior year of high school.) Mom forced me into our car and she drove to the football field. I wouldn't talk to the coaches so she got a coach to come and talk to me. If my Mom wouldn't have forced the issue I am not sure how I would have turned out. Playing football changed my life in a positive manner and opened doors I never dreamed of having a key to as a child. In 1970 I managed to graduate from Elk City High School. My senior year began in Ardmore, Oklahoma, back to Elk City, followed by Lamesa, Texas, and finally back to Elk City. I played football and threw the shot-put and discus in track. I excelled in track placing first in most of the invitational meets while throwing for Lamesa then Elk City. I placed second in shot-put at the Oklahoma State track meet. I had no plans to attend college but I tried out as a walk on for the football team at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. I earned a starting spot as a freshmen by the third game of the season and was granted a full athletic scholarship for my efforts. My hall of fame coach Otis Delaporte once told me I was the best football player he had ever coached. This is a huge source of pride for me because I earned it. I started every game for the next four years at SWOSU and received a college diploma. NFL scouts became interested in me as a sophomore in college. I expected to sign as a free agent with Dallas my senior year but to my surprise the Cleveland Browns drafted me. I was the first player in the history of SWOSU to be drafted by a professional football team. I started several preseason games at defensive tackle for Cleveland. The press and coaches were favorable of my efforts but I was cut just before the regular season. The head coach said I wasn't big enough at 6'3" 235 for my position. After Cleveland I spent a short time with the Edmonton Eskimos. I then signed a three year contract with the New York Giants. I spent limited time with each team but learned advanced football fundamentals from top notch coaches.. After a soul searching decision I concluded my football career at New York about a month after reporting to camp. I returned home, worked at various odd jobs, then decided to become a coach. Before teaching I worked as a farm hand, carpet layer, gas station attendant, oilfield roustabout, seismic phone placement engineer, welder, cement truck driver, heavy equipment operator, greens keeper, and various other odd jobs. In 1973 I married Cheryl (Joy) Buchanan. Cheryl has taught in the Ballinger system for over twenty years. I have two children Caralee a medical transcriptionist and Chana a pre-k teacher both graduates of Ballinger. I like to work in my yard, tinker in my shop, hunt, fish, ride motorcycles, play with my dogs, and just enjoy being outdoors. I watch the History, Travel, and Discovery Channels on television. I root for Texas Tech and have high hopes for the Cowboys. I was the color commentator for KRUN Bearcats Football a number of years. I have worked as an advertising specialist in three different venues. One of my passions is writing about adventures I have experienced while hunting and fishing. Several of my articles were published in Texas Fish & Game magazine.
View the past spotlight here. |
I
have taught the Discipline Alternative Education Program in
Ballinger since 1995. My assignment in DAEP is very challenging
requiring knowledge of multiple subject areas. Students elementary
though grade twelve that have committed serious offenses are
assigned to my school. My students are taught self-discipline, and
responsibility. I push them to raise their grades to a higher
level. I stress that good citizens must be on time. I insist that
students perform given tasks to the best of their abilities, exhibit
good manners, and follow all rules to earn their way out of DAEP.