Head Baseball Coach Ittner was recently ‘Tagged by the Superintendent’, which in the realm of Virginia Beach Public Schools is a huge accomplishment.

This honor is bestowed by Superintendent Don Robertson, to a teacher who has shown great leadership in the classroom and has the ability to inspire students to be successful.

Most importantly, the “tag” comes from recognition of peers and the principal.

Q: How does it feel to be tagged by the superintendent?

A: “It’s a tremendous honor. What is significant about this award is that you’re nominated by a colleague. Whenever you get recognized by someone you work with, it is very meaningful.”

Q: What is one thing that is different about your teaching that helped you win this award?

A: “I try to take a lot of my teaching from a coach’s perspective. Trying to build relationships with my students, but also challenging them to try to get the best out of them.”

Q: What is your drive to continue on the same track and possibly achieve more success?

A: “Being the best version of myself in every aspect of my life. Whether that is being the best husband and father I can be, the best teacher I can be, and the best coach I can be with my staff and players.”

Q: How do you balance baseball and teaching, and can it get overwhelming?

A: “One thing that I try to do is not use the word busy. Everybody is busy, so not saying that word out loud has really helped me try to stay in control with the things I have.”

Q: If you could go back to your first year of teaching, what advice would you give yourself?

A: “Patience. I relate it to coaching because right when you get done playing you think that every player should take everything that you’re saying and replicate it right there because that is what you were able to do. Same thing as a teacher when I am helping people understand the curriculum.”