Timothy Phillips wasn’t just following in his parents’ footsteps.

Yes, his mom was a teacher like he is, and yes, his dad loved history like he does, but he pursued education to coach as well.

“The idea that I could teach history and coach runners is what drew me to the profession,” Phillips said.

Although Phillips retires at the end of the 2023-24 school year, he looks back fondly on his decision to become a teacher and coach.

“I literally can’t imagine my life without it,” Phillips said.

For the previous 13 years, Phillips served as Elk Grove’s division head for social science and world language. His career of teaching has been at many places, including Prospect and Hersey high schools, but Elk Grove eventually became his teaching home.

As the division head, Phillips experienced the positive way the teachers in the department collaborated and worked together.

“The students are so kind and appreciative of the teachers and staff here,” Phillips said. 

While also finding his love for teaching and his love for history, he was also involved in sports throughout his career. Phillips currently coaches the Elk Grove girls track team as a distance coach.

“This track season, our team has set seven school records, so these girls are proof that Elk Grove can be successful as a team,” he said.

One of Phillips favorite recent coaching memories was when two of his athletes (twins Adilene and Adriana Cruz) made appreciation cards for every girl in the distance group.

“They literally spent hours making them, and we got in a circle, and they read them to their teammates,” Phillips said. 

Senior Batul Al Massri, who runs for Phillips, shared her gratitude to have a coach like him.

“Coach Phillips constantly demonstrates the true meaning of being an athlete and shows us that we are always capable of being the best we can be,” she said. 

Coaching track for more than 33 years, Phillips left words of encouragement behind for his girls in hopes they will always strive to do their best. 

After retiring from his teaching and coaching career, Phillips isn’t going to stop working.

“I have been working for several summers with my best friend from high school who is a lawyer,” Phillips said. He will help his friend do various tasks such as look at crime scene footage, watch hours of police body cam footage, and interview possible clients. 

Although his District 214 career will come to a close, Phillips had a few final words to share.

“My biggest takeaway has been that the more one gives to others, the more one gets in return,” he said. “The happiest staff members here are those who continue to have passion for students and a passion to grow as professionals.

“I have had an amazingly positive experience here at Elk Grove,” Phillips said.