Teachers are the people who challenge students to think for themselves and grow beyond what they thought was possible.”
Jason’s Story
Teaching Discipline
Physics
Why Physics
“When I chose physics as a career path, it was really just so that I could understand for myself how the universe works. I had two questions when I enrolled in undergraduate studies, “What are black holes?” and “What is time?” I never lost my sense of wonder about the universe, and now as an educator I try to pass that onto young people.”
Professional Experience
As an undergraduate, Jason worked as a research assistant for the BICEP (Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization) array experiment, which measures the cosmic microwave background (the first light produced in the universe) to look for gravitational waves. Jason also worked as a calculus and physics tutor for the University of Minnesota throughout his undergraduate years.
Jason began teaching at Harding High School in 2019, and has taught a variety of science courses such as physics, astronomy, and Earth science. He has also held several leadership positions at the school as the PBIS committee chair, equity team member, and Restorative Practice Coordinator, and now works to create physics curriculum to be shared with other physics teachers in the district. One of his main goals at the school is making sure students feel good when they are in the building by integrating music, art, and high levels of authenticity into his teaching.
Hobbies
Jason is passionate about music, especially strange little known instruments like his Taglharpa. He also spends a great deal of time writing, both academically and for pleasure. Each winter he writes a short story based in Nordic folklore as he and his wife celebrate Danish “Jul”. Lastly Jason spends a lot of time learning to speak Danish, where while practicing some of the weird vowel sounds will scare his cat.
Academic Background
- University of Minnesota (Master of Education in Science Education)
- University of Minnesota (Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics)