The Paper Cut is excited to spotlight one of Sahuaro’s high school’s newest teachers, Isaiah Garrett.  Mr. Garrett, however, is not new to Sahuaro.   He was a monitor for several years and returned this year as a history teacher and wrestling coach with a deep passion for guiding students academically, athletically, and personally. With a love for history, wrestling, and community service, Mr. Garrett has found his calling in public education to serve his community and inspire students both in the classroom and on the mat.

“I chose this career path to spend more time guiding students and helping them grow in their academic and athletic journeys, using my love of history and wrestling to help them,” Mr. Garrett shared. He credits his faith for leading him to this role. “I feel God has called me to serve my community through public education,” he explained. “I’m committed to going where I am needed, and I see Sahuaro High School as an amazing public high school where I have the privilege of impacting young people’s lives.”

Before joining Sahuaro, Mr. Garrett served in the U.S. Army, an experience that has profoundly shaped his teaching and coaching philosophy. “The military taught me the value of repetition,” he explained. “In the classroom and on the wrestling mat, I focus on consistent practice and hard work to help students and athletes reach their full potential.”

Mr. Garrett’s educational journey was anything but conventional. “I went to four different high schools,” he said. He started at Mariemont High School for his freshman year, attended Courtland High School in Virginia for a quarter of his sophomore year, then moved to Colonial Forge High School to finish out the year, and finally graduated from Safford Senior High School in Arizona. Currently, he is continuing his education in college, demonstrating his value of lifelong learning.

Mr. Garrett’s coaching journey began at 13 when he started volunteering at youth wrestling clubs after his practices. His passion for the sport grew during his time in the army, and he has been coaching steadily since 2018. Now in his fourth year at Sahuaro and his third as head wrestling coach, he has already seen remarkable success, including guiding a state placer during his first year and four state qualifiers in the following year. “The most rewarding part of coaching is seeing students develop confidence and grit through wrestling,” he said.

In addition to his achievements in wrestling, Mr. Garrett strives to create an inclusive classroom where all students feel heard and valued. “I try to incorporate multiple perspectives when teaching history, especially in a diverse city like Tucson,” he noted.

Balancing the demands of teaching and coaching isn’t without challenges, however. “Grading during wrestling season is tough,” he admitted. “But seeing students achieve their goals—whether in the classroom or on the mat—makes it all worthwhile.”

To students struggling, his advice is simple: “Seek help and use the resources available to you.” For those uncertain about their future, he recommends exploring options without fear. “Choose a path—whether it’s enlisting, enrolling, or employment—and go for it. You can always pivot later, but don’t stop moving forward.”

Sahuaro High School is fortunate to have such a passionate and driven educator. Through his dedication to both academics and athletics, Mr. Garrett is making a lasting positive impact on students’ lives.