Technical College Instructor Followed His Heart
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"A fulfilling
career" Jon Cooley
Chippewa Valley
Technical College
Chippewa Valley Techncial College
Teachers Association
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| Jon Cooley began his career as an educator after working for more than a decade in the field of informational technology. |
Technical college instructor followed his heart
| What makes a great school? Educators who care deeply about the success of each student, with an administrative support staff that have the same care. Next, add in learners that are ready for exciting challenges and you have a great school. There also must be the ingredients of mutual respect between all parties involved in the endeavor and great community involvement. What is the top issue facing your field? The issue of recruiting people into the Information Technology (IT) career. It is a real challenge right now for a variety of reasons. It is really unfortunate, too, because the IT career is booming in Wisconsin and nationwide with good paying jobs and an exciting variety of career paths. It is a challenging field that is never dull because of the rapid advance of technology. We are seeing a decline in enrollment nationwide, especially with the female population, which is hard to explain. It is a trend that needs to be reversed. If you could be something other than an educator, what would you be? A battlefield tour guide at Gettysburg National Park. |
After working behind the scenes as a computer programmer for more than a decade, Jon Cooley made a move that changed his life forever. He moved to the front of the class.
An information technology programmer/analyst instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, he now makes his career out of mixing technical know-how with caring concern.
Cooley – a Civil War buff whose hobbies include playing guitar and sculpting historical miniatures – found he couldn’t resist the urge to teach. Joining a long line of educators in his family, Cooley has found fulfillment in helping his students succeed.
“I come from a family of educators, going back several generations, but I had never seriously considered working as an educator myself,” Cooley said. “I had been working in my field of computer science for nearly 11 years when I noticed an adjunct teaching position opening at my local state technical college. I decided to give it a try and loved it immediately.”
While assisting students in their preparation for the workplace, Cooley knows he is depositing a little of who he is into each of them. “My personal faith and my family background have really enriched my life with experiences that reach out and touch my students,” said Cooley, who lives in Eau Claire with his wife, Kristen, and their three children.
He recalled being asked by a student why he was so happy in his job, when IT people are often thought of as being introverts. “I think that my enthusiasm for life that results from my faith and family impacts my students,” he said.
Cooley said teaching is important because it touches the lives of people in ways that affect them from that point on in their lives. “I’m proud of the accomplishments of past students who are doing great out in their careers,” he said.
WEAC’s Great Schools Member Spotlight features WEAC members who are making a difference in the lives of others every day in their schools and communities. Member Spotlight profiles appear on OnWEAC, and one profile is selected each month for the OnWEAC In Print newspaper. To submit a suggestion for a Member Spotlight candidate, send an e-mail to the WEAC Public Relations Department.
Posted May 21,2008