Service Through Sports

When you talk to Jenny Springer, you quickly learn that her West Valley pride runs deep. She’s an eighth-grade History teacher at WV Junior High, a former three-sport athlete, WVHS graduate, coach, and a mom raising the next generation of WV kids. 

Springer graduated from WVHS in 2003 after playing soccer, basketball, and fastpitch and earning a Division 1 soccer scholarship to the University of Idaho. She spent her early career in the Yakima School District, teaching and coaching middle school and high school teams, and even served as a volunteer coach at the college level. But today, her focus is closer to home—on her daughters Harper and Chloe, both students at Apple Valley Elementary.

Springer coaches three of her daughters’ youth teams: Pink Lightning, Purple Reign, and the Mini Slammers. And more than 20 of the girls she coaches are West Valley students from schools like Ahtanum Valley, Cottonwood, Mountainview, and Apple Valley.

Springer believes sports build lasting community and instill a deep sense of belonging. She remembers her mentors, Chuck Hinkley and Rob Schefter, coaches with West Valley ties who helped build her confidence. Now, she hopes to be that same kind of role model for her girls and other girls in the community. 

“They grow up so fast. I hope to share with them the joy, lessons, and memories that sports can provide.”

Even though life is busy–balancing teaching, parenting, coaching, and “always laundry to put away,” she jokes–Springer shows up. You’ll find her cheering on family at WVHS football and basketball games and at other events supporting former coaching friends and students. 

“These events strengthen our family’s connection and allow my students to see me not just as their teacher or coach, but as an active member of the West Valley community.”

Springer looks forward to the day the girls she coaches become eighth-graders in her classroom. She’s seen the relationships she built as a West Valley student come full circle as she teaches the children of friends from school and sports, and it makes her smile. 

Springer sums it up simply, “I do it for the kids because someone did it for me.”

Through every practice, game, and classroom moment, Springer not only teaches sports, she builds future leaders who may one day give back to West Valley just as she has.