From the field to the office, Jeff Legault has been working at Dakota Ridge since it opened in 1996. Originally hired as a baseball coach, Legault became the P.E. teacher in 1999, a position he maintained until just recently. In 2022, Dakota Ridge created a dean’s position that Mr. Legault stepped in to fill.
Q: What exactly do you do as a dean?
A: The main job titles of a dean are for discipline and attendance. Any discipline issues are sent to me. I follow up on attendance, try to make sure kids are going to class, look at attendance data, make sure that they are on time, things like that. But it’s turned into, I’m just kind of here to help students in general. Whatever they need. If they have issues with other kids, social media issues, class issues, troubles with teachers, troubles with grades — I’m just here to help any kids that need help.
Q: What is your favorite part of your position?
A: The favorite part of my position is working with the kids. I love working with teenagers. I’ve always loved that part of my job.
Q: Why do you like working with teenagers?
A: I just think they’re in a cool part of their life where they kind of think they have things figured out, but yet they have so much more to learn about life. They’re in that transition from being kids to adults, and that’s such an important part of life to learn how to make good decisions and put yourself on the right track. I think that’s why I like them the most.
Q: On the other hand, what is your least favorite part of your position?
A: The least favorite part of my position would be with kids that you have to discipline multiple times, or some of the drama between groups or students that doesn’t stop, no matter how much you try to intervene, it just continues. They don’t make changes.
Q: What made you choose to apply for the dean position?
A: I always wanted to be an administrator, to do something different. After teaching PE for 28 years, it became a little bit monotonous. Both of my kids graduated from high school and were in college, so it was time to do something different. I thought that in a dean’s position I could help more kids than I could as a teacher, which I found to be true.
Q: Were your kids Dakota graduates?
A: Yep! Both of them went to Dakota Ridge. Cooper graduated in 2019, and my daughter Taylor in 2020.
Q: Are you the first dean at Dakota Ridge?
A: I am. They’ve never had a dean here. When Dr. J was principal, he didn’t have an extra administrator. Then the funding came around with our AN program, so Mrs. Keller was able to create that position, which opened up the same time she got the principal job.
Q: As the current head baseball coach, are you prepared for the new baseball season?
A: We’re starting to get ready. I’m excited for it. We have a good group of seniors who are really energetic and I’m really excited. Some of them, it’s their first year on varsity, so yeah, I’m really excited for this year. I think it will be fun coaching this year.
Q: How many of the players are seniors this year?
A: We have 13 seniors going out for varsity this year, which is a big number. Last year was big at 11, but this year is one of the biggest classes we’ve had.
Q: What do you hope to see happen this coming baseball season?
A: I hope that we have an enjoyable season, have some success and win some games, compete for league championships, get ourselves into regionals, win regionals, and see how far we can go in state. Just an overall rewarding season. We haven’t had a normal season in what feels like four years, because in 2020 we got canceled for COVID, then the next year we ran into the summer, then last year we had to deal with Brady’s unfortunate passing. So I just want a normal year.
Q: What do you hope to see happen inside of Dakota Ridge, in general?
A: Inside Dakota Ridge, I hope to see continued growth in our students. We’ve had some issues, in the fall semester, with drama and some fights, which is a little bit more than normal. Some behavior that’s been a bit more than normal with bathrooms and trash. I hope that we see some growth and getting over those issues, looking forward, and that we’re just treating everyone nicely, and that everyone has a good time and feels safe at school.
Q: If you could pick any other job within this school, which one would it be?
A: There is no other job I would pick. I have the best job in the school; I get to deal with all sorts of kids all day; I get to know kids on a different level; I get to help kids that are having problems; I get to celebrate the success of kids; there’s no other job I’d rather do at the school than what I’m doing. I love it.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to golf. I like to do home remodeling projects — building things and remodeling kitchens, stuff like that. I spend time with my kids and my family. My daughter works at CSU, so we like to go up to football games and basketball games there. Go golfing with my son and hang out with my wife.
Q: Are you a coach on the golf team?
A: I was before this position came open. I wasn’t able to golf because you have to miss so much school with golf. So I had to give up the golf job.
Q: Did you enjoy being the golf coach?
A: I really enjoyed golf because it was after school, only four days a week — the tournaments during the day. It was a more laid back sport than baseball. It was just enjoyable and something totally different. It took the stress out of things that you do. You’re on a golf course, of course it’s fun.
Q: Were you the men’s or women’s coach?
A: Men’s.
Q: What was the last thing you built that you were most proud of?
A: I actually am going to finish, this Saturday, a complete remodel of our kitchen. With all new cabinets, countertops, lighting, and everything.
Q: What is your life motto?
A: I don’t know if I can pick just one certain thing. Enjoy life, it goes fast, you only get to do it one time. Be nice to others, have empathy for others, get to know as many different people as you can, and treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Treat each other better.
Q: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
A: Come see me anytime. I’m here to help. I’ll help any kid, any time. Come share your success with me, come to me if you have any issues, I’m just here to help. I want your high school years to be the greatest four years of your life.
