OSZ Influencer of the Week: Jimmy Khan of West Orange High School

Jimmy Khan is the master crew leader at West Orange High School, and his job duties are to supervise and make sure the school is functioning up to Orange County Public Schools standards. WOHS Principal Matt Turner said Khan is a legend at the school. “He interacts with the students more than any custodial staff member I have ever seen,” Turner said. “He actively encourages the students, attends events such as Homecoming and prom, and is a positive member of the staff. Students know he supports them by cheering them on at events and knowing so many students by name. His signature “siren” in the mornings is a staple in the courtyard, and if you ask any student past or present, they will tell you how much Jimmy loves West Orange.

“From the admin side, he always comes with a positive attitude and is the hardest-working person on campus,” Turner said. “He never says no to any task and often tries to help others with tasks outside of his work scope such as classroom supervision and other administrative tasks.”

In Khan’s 24 years with OCPS, he was named Support Person of the Year Award twice, earned a Community Recognition Award and received a Certificate of Commendation from the area superintendent.

What brought you to your school?

What pulled me to West Orange is the amount of school spirit the students and staff have, along with the positive and energetic atmosphere.

What do you love most about your school?

What I love most about West Orange High School is the support and openness of all of the students and staff. Everyone has been so accepting, and I can say that the school is truly one of a kind!

What is your motivation?

My motivation stems from my family, especially my kids, and the reward from serving my community. At work, I am driven from the students around me and the ability to impact the students’ lives and education.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the students grow into successful adults and seeing them enjoy their youth. Seeing them happy makes me happy!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active, such as running, going to the gym, playing cricket and playing soccer.

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

When I was in school, my favorite teacher was Mr. Aziz because of how detailed he was with his explanations and how patient he was when teaching.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

When I was a child, I wanted to be director of operations of a hotel. This is because I grew up with family members who were general managers of hotels, which caused me to grow an interest in the hotel industry.

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is the “Harry Potter” series because I was very into mystery books.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies include running and going to the gym.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have any superpower, I would choose to have teleportation so that I can travel the world more efficiently.

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

If I could listen to only three artists for the rest of my life they would be Bon Jovi, Prince and Guns N’ Roses. This is because these artists have a unique sound and have true talent.

What was your go-to lunch as an elementary student? Any favorite snacks or special treats you remember?

My go-to lunch as an elementary student was chickpeas and chicken with rice. My favorite snacks were samosas and kebabs.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because I enjoy spending time with my family and like the fact that it is a day to be conscious of what you are thankful for.

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

My best friend when I was in school was my cousin, Atiq, because I grew up with him and enjoyed playing cricket with him. I moved to the United States from Pakistan with Atiq, and we have always kept in touch.

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

As a student, I ran track and ran the 1500-meter race and won third place in the 98th Annual Athletic Championship in Pakistan.

How long have you been at your school and with OCPS?

I have worked at West Orange High School for 17 years and with OCPS for 24 years.