RELUCTANT WINNER TEACHER OF YEAR KLIPFEL HAPPY ENOUGH TEACHING, THANKS.

Byline: Eugene Tong  Staff Writer

SAUGUS - Saugus High history teacher James Klipfel believes in the potential in humankind to grow and solve problems, though history hasn't always shown humanity in the best light.

``Human beings are kind of a disappointment, but it would be nice if we can prove it wrong,'' said Klipfel, who was named 2004 William S. Hart Union High School District's Teacher of the Year.

Klipfel, 34, has been a teacher for more than 12 years - the past nine at Saugus High. He was picked by his peers from 12 finalists, each representing a school in the district, and will go on to the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year competition.

``Growing and education are both tough things to do,'' he said. ``When they (students) graduate from high school, I hope that I made the journey along the way a little easier, so that they have confidence and no regrets.''

It certainly wasn't his idea to put his name on the ballot, having turned down consideration for Saugus High Teacher of the Year three times in past years.

``Including this,'' he said Friday. ``Obviously, (Saugus High Principal Bill Bolde) didn't comply.

``It's not meant in disrespect to the district and the program. I put 12 years in here, and there are people at my school who's been here longer and touched more kids, and certainly more deserving of the applause and praise.''

Whether Klipfel wanted it or not, Bolde believes his social studies department chairman and winning swim coach deserves the accolade.

``Jim is one of the better teachers you'll ever see,'' he said. ``He's a teacher who has promoted educational development for all kids. He's widely recognized by all of his colleagues for raising the bar.''

For Klipfel, history is a trove of questions and possible answers to the modern human condition.

``I'm fascinated by the bizarre culture of the United States,'' he said. ``In some way, it's just this incredible paradise on Earth. ... And there are things that are quite odd - our indulgence on consumption.

``Historically, this country and culture is one of a kind. It's fascinating to study and ask this question: How did we get here and where are we going, and, ultimately, what kind of legacy are we leaving?''

His classes usually begin with a set of questions, with students racking their brains toward the greater lesson.

``That's what drives it,'' Klipfel said. ``It's getting them to think about something in a new way, hopefully with some new information.''

The method seems to work.

``When you go into a classroom of a teacher that's doing really well, you're looking at what kind of engagement the kids are in,'' Bolde said. ``He has them on task, and they're working cooperatively for each other.

``Many teachers today, their methods are obsolete. The bell rings, they sit down and they're going to talk to you for a while.''

His approach to teaching. though, doesn't always translate to the swimming pool and the Saugus league champion girls' swim team.

``Sometimes I think we have the titles (coach and teacher) mixed up,'' Klipfel said. ``In my academic classes, you got to excite them about lifelong reading and learning. Hopefully, it will be contagious.

``From the coaching perspective, it's like teaching an elective on campus. The kids want to be there. I break it down into a science.''

Still, underneath his thoughtful, often unconventional, demeanor, Klipfel derives great pleasure and satisfaction from his job.

``I consider myself to be an enormously lucky and happy man,'' he said. ``The profession has treated me well. ... Every day I get up in the morning, I just want to get to work.''

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Saugus High teacher Jim Klipfel says that he is ``an enormously lucky and happy man. ... Every day I get up in the morning, I just want to get to work.''

David Crane/Staff Photographer