Who Am I?
The first and most important thing about me is f&f. Faith and Family! My number one priorities are to be the best husband that I can to my beautiful wife Stephanie and best father possible for my 3 beautiful miracle children Jesse (JJ), Hailey, and Lucas. Jesse and Hailey are my miracle twins and Lucas is our miracle youngest! My Faith defines me and gives me purpose and my family refines me and means everything to me! You will hear a lot about LPP: Love, passion, and perseverance from me which is my personal/professional/coaching motto.
I have served as a school counselor and tennis coach for boys and girls tennis with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) since 2008, all at Skyview High School. Prior to VPS, starting after graduate school in 2005, I worked as a school counselor at Spanaway Lake High School and Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington. I hold a B.S. (Psychology) from Brigham Young University, and an MS (Masters of Applied Science in counseling) from Eastern Washington University. I am an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) in the State of Washington. I am also a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in school counseling which I earned in 2013.
I have coached men's and women's tennis at Skyview since my first year at the school in 2008. I absolutely love coaching and never want to stop! I have been the head tennis coach for the men's team since 2010 and the women's team since 2013. What I am most proud of is the fun, love, joy, tennis learning, and unforgettable memories that we have created as a program over the years. I will never forget these players that mean so much to me and my family! Those things are always more important than winning! However, we do have a competitive program and do the best we can to compete at the top level. We have won 10 state championships since 2008 including a women's team championship in 2013 and back to back men's team titles in 2017 and 2018!
I've had students call me Gowen, Gowpal, Gowdogg, G-Man, Mr. G, and G-Money, but I'll answer to just about anything! I was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington and take great pride in my city, state, and community. I attended Eisenhower Elementary, Jason Lee Middle School, and graduated from Columbia River High School in 1997.
As mentioned, my family is my pride and ultimate joy! I am the youngest of 4 siblings, all of whom I love, respect, and look up to in so many ways. My oldest sister works as a counselor and was a school counselor for many years in Idaho. My other sister was a teacher and still serves as teacher librarian in the district. My Brother is CEO of a non profit organization aimed at ending human slavery. I have a lot of nephews and nieces, some who are more like younger brothers and sisters to me. I am blessed with wonderful in-laws whom I love and consider to be blood relatives. I was borne of goodly parents, with whom I would not be who I am without. I could not have asked for better parents who provided faith, stability, love, support, guidance, financial stability, and endless amounts of patience as I grew up as a troubled youth and navigated through life's challenges with their and so many others' love and support. One of the reasons I am a counselor and coach is because of the guidance and support that I received growing up. Despite all my many blessings, the best thing that ever happened to me was meeting my future wife in 1999. I've been married to my sole-mate and eternal companion Stephanie since 2002. Our life's journey is determined by a series of daily choices, some more important than others. No doubt that the biggest, most important, and best choice that I ever made was marrying Stephanie after years of convincing her to do so. She is beautiful inside and out, talented, smart, hard-working, faithful and compassionate. She is my partner, confidant, teacher, example, supporter, and best friend. She previously taught elementary school in the Vancouver School District and now teaches pre-school. She is the most amazing person I've ever known. Stephanie enjoys fitness, reading, socializing, volleyball, television, creating, and mothering! She is an amazing parent! We have 3 miracle children including twins Jesse and Hailey, and our youngest Lucas. Jesse is the oldest by 2 minutes and is kind, goofy (like his Dad), loving, busy, compassionate and a video game player! Hailey is intellectual, beautiful, thoughtful, compassionate, obedient, hard-working, and loves to read. Lucas is energetic, fun, loving, compassionate, supportive, athletic, and loves sports and video games. For our entire family, our faith is our foundation which centers around Diety, love, service, and forever families.
In my free time, I really enjoy exercise (running, biking, and newly swimming). I have run in the Hood to Coast relay every summer since 2007. I completed the 206 mile Seattle to Portland bike ride in one day in July of 2018. I had health issues as a kid and never learned to swim so in the craziness of 2020 with Covid, I made the goal to learn how to swim and complete triathlons which I've never done before. I got obsessed and completed 2 sprint triathlons, 2 Olympic triathlons, 1 Half Ironman Triathlon, 1 marathon, and finally a 140.6 mile full ironman triathlon all in the summer of 2020. I did it all to raise money for suicide prevention and mental health awareness and to help others, my family, and myself know that we can overcome anything if we never stop TRI-ing. :) It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I also enjoy sports, reading, outdoors (hiking, camping, walking), television, and eating! My favorite foods are pizza, shrimp, and nachos! But by far what I'd rather do all day everyday is to be with my wife and children! It's hard even remembering what else I love to do because I love being a husband and father more than anything in the world.
I am so blessed to have my dream career in being a school counselor, mental health counselor, and tennis coach. I do not take this honor and privilege to try and help people for granted. I promise to continue to do my best to serve you with trust, integrity, and diligence. My love, passion, and perseverance will continue motivating me to be the best that I can be in all areas of my life. Thank you for allowing me to help you however I can.
My number 1 professional focus is always saving lives and this year I've been training for and completing triathlons for many reasons including to raise money for ourcitycares.org and suicide prevention/mental health awareness.
Here's my TRI-atholon story if you are interested!
https://givebutter.com/funraisinghope/vancouver-schools/jaygowen
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yDR9kb4Q_Ke_C_ZNkUdtjX_qmVFE9Q-W/view?usp=sharing
