Evan Jones

"I’m a Remarkably Lucky Man"

Breck alumnus Evan Jones never dreamed he’d be back at his alma mater to teach fifth-grade science, but he’s such a natural that his colleagues and students can’t quite imagine him anywhere else.

When we interrupted a meeting of fifth-grade teachers (with Evan safely out of the room) to comment about him, the response was spirited and heartfelt. Their descriptions of their colleague included phrases like “genuine, sincere and willing to go more than an extra mile for his students" to “unbelievably observant—he doesn’t miss a thing" to “an amazingly tough athlete who did the nation’s hardest ski race last winter with just one pole."

On a lighter note, Evan’s colleagues say he’s also noteworthy for his love of Breck school lunches. “He sure does enjoy riblet day, not to mention grilled cheese and tomato soup" says Sarah Flotten. Laughs Robin Fondow, “Breck’s definitely losing money on him when those are on the menu."

More than one of his coworkers talked about his sense of humor—and so did a group of his students we found in Middle School Commons. Four students answered enthusiastically and almost in unison. “Mr. Jones is so funny, and he makes learning so fun!" “He’s very dramatic!" “I loved the time he asked questions about Earth and acted like a Martian!" “I love studying the planets." “And when he traces his head and looks like a pinhead!"

Evan teaches fifth-grade physical education and coaches Middle School girls tennis and varsity Nordic Ski in addition to his science classes. He enjoys it all and appreciates the opportunity to watch his students grow up and to get to see them both inside and outside the classroom. “Breck gives students so many opportunities to become leaders and be successful in different parts of their lives," he says. “It’s especially important to me, because I know that young Evan Jones was probably more talented in p.e. than in some of his other classrooms!"

And what does he think about Breck now that he’s a teacher instead of a student? “When you’re a student here you don’t really know how Breck compares to other schools. Now that I’ve had a chance to look around, I know just how good it is."

Evan went from Breck, which he attended from sixth grade through twelfth, to the University of Minnesota and expected to pursue a career that combined the outdoors and older children. He was a wildlife biologist and environmental specialist for the St. Paul schools, a wilderness guide for youth at risk in a YMCA program and an environmental assessor for the state of Minnesota when Lois Fruen contacted him about working at Breck.

“I never expected to teach such young kids," he says, “but I love fifth graders. They’re at an age where they want big-kid experiences but they still need encouragement and guidance from their teachers. Their enthusiasm is amazing, and they’re not yet ‘too cool for school.’ And they’re still so nice to each other—I see examples of their kindness to their classmates every day."

His students are treated to a truly innovative curriculum that changes from year to year. “The whole point of science education is to give students the tools they need to satisfy their curiosity," he observes. “So while we keep the same themes, we do different projects based on each year’s student interests." One of those themes includes a project involving life on another planet—the research for which won Evan a prestigious $10,000 Tapestry grant from the Toyota Corporation. Schools around the country are now adapting that curriculum, and Evan himself has been asked to be a judge for the company as it reviews other proposals.

When he’s not at school, Evan enjoys life with wife Kabby and dog Boomer – often out of doors. Until a stress fracture of his femur temporarily sidelined him, he spent 15 hours a week in triathlon training and has completed four Ironman events. He and Kabby enjoy camping, canoeing and traveling. Last summer, they spent time near Lake Michigan and in the Boundary Waters. And over winter break, they’re looking forward to another wilderness adventure. “Between Christmas and New Year’s it’s going to be my wife and me and a tent," he smiles. “My life is so much richer because I have Kabby to share it with. Simply, I’m a remarkably lucky man."