RC teacher takes leave to concentrate on military

By Danielle Strenke

Rush City High School social studies teacher and head wrestling coach Kevin Jensen has been approved for a five- year leave of absence from his position as a teacher and coach.

Jensen, who has been with the Rush City School district for 10 years, will be taking the time off to explore his military career options.

Jensen is a member of the Army National Guard and will leave RCHS Feb. 17 to go to work full-time as a Chief Warrant Officer. A Warrant Officer is a person who operates, maintains, administers and manages Army equipment, support activities or technical systems throughout their career.

He will receive his training at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.
Jensen said it was a difficult decision to make, ìI have enjoyed my 10 years here in Rush City, but in the end, I was being stretched too thin,î he said.

Jensen said his National Guard duties oftentimes would conflict with his responsibilities as assistant football coach in the fall and head wrestling coach in the winter.
ìI would get done with a game Friday night and then make the three-hour drive to Appleton for weekend training,î Jensen said.

Jensen said the career move will also allow him more time with his family, which includes his wife, two daughters and a baby on the way.

Jensen said he assured the school board and fellow Rush City teachers that he is not leaving with any animosity toward Rush City schools or the teaching profession.ìThe people here are great, the students are great and Iíll miss it,î he said.

Jensen will continue to coach the wrestlers through the remainder of the season.

The regular season finishes up for the Tigers with a Great River Conference tournament Feb. 13.

Jensen has been given permission to return to lead the team at all of the playoffs, including team quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, and the section 6A individual tournament later this month.

He will also serve as head coach if any of the wrestlers advance to the state tournament in March.

As for a replacement at the helm of the wrestling program, Jensen is confident that assistant coach Rob Karl will step up to the position.

ìHeís already had to take over for practices and matches when Iím gone,î Jensen said. ìHeís a great coach, and the kids really like him.î

Jensen said the district has not hired a permanent replacement to fill his teaching or coaching positions.
Jensen said he may be training out of Bloomington this summer for his weekend National Guard duty.

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