Jordan McGreevy, science teacher at Tech High School, loves animals. As a young child, he wore clothes with animals on them and dug in the dirt to find obscure animals to bring home. So, as college approached, it felt natural for him to go into veterinary science. The further he pursued the career, however, the more it became apparent to him that his skills were better suited for education.
McGreevy grew up surrounded by education. His mother was in early childhood education and his father taught welding classes post-retirement.
“I switched,” reflects McGreevy. “I blended my passion for living organisms along with changing minds.”
McGreevy graduated from Apollo High School in 2003, and he attributes some of his love of science to his science teachers Marcia Handahl and Karen Ramseth. He later attended Concordia College in Moorhead. It was while applying for veterinary schools his senior year that he changed his mind and went another direction. Instead of veterinary school, he completed another year of school to obtain his teaching license.
His plan after college graduation was to teach on the beach in South America, but he received a phone call that changed his plan: his grandmother was ill.
“I came here to St. Cloud to help her,” shares McGreevy. “I got a job at Apollo as a long-term sub and as a teacher at [McKinley] ALC.”
McGreevy taught at ALC six years, teaching topics like neuroscience, forensics and chemistry.
“It was a great experience – seeing the variety and diversity of learners in the district,” says McGreevy. “I needed a little bit of a change [though] … and applied at both mainstream schools. … I was split for a couple of years [between Apollo and Tech]. I’ve been at Tech ever since.”
He’s taught biology at both Apollo and Tech, and this year, he’s added anatomy and physiology.
McGreevy still loves animals and incorporates them into his classroom.
“I used to breed cockroaches,” laughs McGreevy. “I’ve had bearded dragons, snakes … I’ve had a tarantula for about 10 years, a couple of geckos, a snapping turtle I got two years ago, and I breed walking sticks every now then and praying mantis. I had some fish a couple of years ago. Whatever I can do to bring the outside inside.”
Having the animals in his classroom creates a different dynamic for students. It helps them understand animals and their environments, but it also helps create responsibility and accountability in caring for them.
“They [students] either love it or hate it,” says McGreevy. “Some are afraid, especially with the tarantula. But it is a really nice line for curiosity. Having pets or animals, especially for the students who are confined to an apartment environment or came from a different living situation, it’s nice to bring that life into the classroom. It’s also a big, epic anti-stressor to have something that is alive and not judgmental. It’s the cheapest kind of counselor.”
McGreevy finds his animals calming. When he isn’t caring for his animals or teaching, he likes to go biking, kayaking, cross-country skiing or to play wallyball.
“I like the slow, quiet sports,” he laughs.
Now, with twin boys who are four years old, his hobbies have changed. He finds himself digging in the dirt and doing the things he enjoyed as a small boy.
“My sons have the same itch,” says McGreevy. “They are my new life.”
McGreevy listened to his inner instincts and took a calculated leap when he switched his career path to education. He has no regrets. Combining his passion and skillset is a joy both inside the classroom and every day with his sons.
Fun Facts:
- McGreevy loves spending time outdoors and seeing his dog in her natural state hunting pheasants.
- He loves to travel and experience other cultures. McGreevy believes experiencing other cultures is essential when teaching in a diverse environment.
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