Andy Leech, known as Mr. Leech at Lees Summit high school,  teaches the engineering classes and creative design in technology. 

“I teach introduction, engineering design, electricity and electronics, and creative design and technology,” Leech said.

Leech has not only been a teacher, but he was a principal for 7 years at Grandview high school.

“I was at Grandview High School for 22 years. I was the head football coach, head track coach, and then became a principal for seven years,” Leech said.

The reason Leech got into teaching was because of his advisors.

“I went to college to play football, and didn’t even pick a major until my junior year, second semester. My advisor said, ‘You cannot leave my office until you pick a profession,’ So I said, I guess I’ll be a teacher,” Leech said.

School is a top priority for Leech.

“The most important thing is school as a whole, and just being able to see what this place exists for. And that there’s nothing more important than your friends. Second, building relationships with teachers, and the third one is learning new things is fun,” Leech said.

Many describe Leech as selfless.

“He is selfless. He always puts others before himself, and he shows that when he teaches, he always would sacrifice his time to make sure the students learned it, he would sacrifice something of his to make sure someone else is better,” Bryson Leech said.

Leech is close with his youngest son Bryson and they spend time together often.

“He’s been one of my best friends ever since I was little. He has always been my coach, my father, my teacher, and it’s just been a lot of fun,” Bryson said.

Leech was a football coach for 39 years and this year is the first year that he isn’t coaching football.

“Football is my favorite sport ever, this is my first year since 1986 without a football team,” Leech said.