After nearly three decades of dedicated service to the Nye County School District, Assistant Principal Jason Odegard has retired, closing the final chapter of a career marked by consistency, humility, and heart. A familiar and respected presence at Pahrump Valley High School and throughout the district, Odegard’s journey through education has touched countless lives—those of students, colleagues, athletes, and community members alike.
Born and raised in the tiny town of Milnor, North Dakota, Odegard was one of only 19 graduates in his high school class. “I guess I was a good student for my class,” he said with a modest smile, “but the real world kind of hit a little harder when I got to college. There were a lot of smart people.” With the help of supportive mentors, he found his footing at the University of North Dakota, where he earned his degree to be able to teach math and science.
Ironically, education wasn’t part of his original plan. “Education really was not the plan,” he said. “I decided that the path I was taking was going to take too long and I needed a break from school and wanted to find something different. So what did I do? I went into education and I spent the rest of my career in school.”
That career began in earnest in January of 1997 when he accepted a position teaching eighth grade math at Rosemary Clarke Middle School in Pahrump. He and his wife Tammi had landed in southern Nevada thanks to a tip from Tammi’s aunt and uncle, Larry and Elaine Goins. “Graduating in December, finding a job midway through the year is not the easiest thing,” he recalled. “We happened to talk to her aunt and uncle… and they happened to mention a job opening here in eighth grade math.” They’d visited once before and joked about the “dusty little town in the desert,” never imagining they’d end up calling it home. “Almost 30 years later, here we are,” he said.
In those early years, Odegard taught math and science across sixth through eighth grades before moving to the high school where he taught earth science, physical science, chemistry, and physics. He credits his first teaching team for helping him grow and adapt. “Students didn’t get things as quickly as I wanted them to or I thought they should,” he said. “I had to really learn to develop patience… and do a lot of reteaching. I think that’s where I really started to understand how to meet students where they were.”
Outside the classroom, Odegard also made an impact through athletics. He coached middle school football and boys basketball, followed by stints with high school cross country, football, girls basketball, and track. “Athletics was always a big part of my life,” he said. “It was fun to work with kids, to help them push and see how far they could go. You really get to know the person, not just the student.”
It was, in fact, his love of sports that nudged him toward education in the first place. An advisor in college encouraged him to consider teaching as a pathway to stay involved in athletics. That decision not only launched his career but helped define the way he connected with students for years to come.
While teaching remained his passion, Odegard eventually pursued a master’s degree in educational administration—at the encouragement of colleagues like Jeff Skelton, Jeff Hammar, and Max Buffi. “They were starting their master’s program and kind of looking for a fourth person,” he said. “So they convinced me to do it.”
In 2007, a longing to return to North Dakota led him to accept a principal position in his home state. But as the recession hit, financial challenges made it difficult to stay. “I wasn’t making as much as I was teaching here and we couldn’t sell our house here. We couldn’t afford two house payments to that kind of made the decision for us,” he said. The Odegards returned to Pahrump, and Jason resumed teaching at the high school before eventually being recruited by district leadership to lead Floyd Elementary as principal.
His three years at Floyd stand out as a highlight. “Being around elementary kids was really a unique experience for me,” he said. “They come every day and they just want to enjoy it. They’re so excited to be there. It wasn’t my comfort zone, but I wouldn’t have traded that.”
In his current role, which he’s held for the past 11 years, Odegard has overseen athletics, facilities, and departments such as science, physical education, and some Career and Technical Education programs. He also manages logistics for events and supervises staff and students. “People make fun of me because I still use a desk calendar,” he said. “But I’m just one of those people who constantly checks and verifies everything. I don’t deal well with surprises.”
Odegard has seen plenty of changes in education since he began. “Education is always changing, but I think it’s really always cycling,” he reflected. “We keep looking for that magic answer where every kid will be successful, but people are so different. Nobody learns the same.” He acknowledged the challenges teachers face in adopting new teaching strategies, especially with the rise of technology. “Through COVID we went so tech-heavy. I think it’s been hard to go back to the foundation of reading and writing with paper. But kids probably learn better with something solid to hold onto.”
When asked to identify the most memorable people or moments in his career, he hesitated. “There’ve been so many wonderful people I’ve been able to work with,” he said. “At a graduation party the other night, I looked around and every table had someone I had taught or coached or worked with. That was a really neat moment.”
Much of the work ethic that has defined Odegard’s approach to teaching and leadership was instilled by his parents. “I learned hard work from them,” he said. “They didn’t just talk about it—they lived it. They showed me that if you put in the effort, good things happen.” That mindset carried him through years of early mornings, long evenings, and countless hours on the field and in the classroom. “I never did any of it because I had any expectation for recognition,” he added. “I just believed in doing the job well because it mattered.”
Throughout his years at PVHS, he’s had the unique experience of working alongside his sons during their high school years. He was principal at Floyd when his son Grant was in fourth grade, and assistant principal at PVHS while both Bryce and Grant attended. “I tried not to be the parent at school,” he said. “I didn’t want them to feel like they had extra pressure. If anything, I think it’s harder on kids whose parents work at the school.”
Outside of education, his career has expanded his curiosity and appreciation for new experiences. “I think I became a better learner,” he said. A family goal of visiting all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums before his son Bryce graduated was achieved. Now, he and Tammi attend Broadway shows at the Smith Center. “If you would’ve told me in my 20s I’d be going to Broadway shows, I’d have said you’re crazy,” he laughed. “But I enjoy them now.”
As he retires, Odegard has no firm plans—other than traveling with his wife and being a grandpa. He knows he’ll stay connected to the school and community. “If you stay in Pahrump, you can’t really disconnect,” he said. “It’s just not possible.”
When asked what he’ll miss the most, the answer was simple. “The people. The relationships. There are so many good people here, and that’s going to be hard to leave.”
For new educators or administrators just starting out, he offered advice rooted in experience: “Every day is a new day. Make the most of each one. It gets you through, and before you know it, the days fly by.”
Summing up his career in just two words, Odegard didn’t hesitate. “Joyful exhaustion,” he said. “There were long hours and it was exhausting at times. But it was never exhausting in a way that made me not want to show up. It was exhausting in a joyful, good way.”
Pahrump Valley High School and the Nye County School District are undeniably better because Jason Odegard chose to dedicate his life to public education. His steady presence, his quiet determination, and his unwavering belief in the value of hard work have left an imprint on generations of students and educators alike. Whether on the football field, in a science lab, or standing at the door greeting students in the morning, Odegard’s leadership was never about the spotlight—it was about showing up, day after day, and making a difference. And that legacy will live on long after the last bell rings.
