Jonathan Simpson, AP Human Geography and AP U.S. History teacher, brings his enthusiasm with him to work every day. Emerson High School is proud to be the eyewitness of the spirit he contributes throughout the school halls. Simpson, a two-year employee, can be easily spotted in Emerson’s dense hallways simply by the smile he flaunts. Every day during Power Hour you can catch him in his classroom with the door open inviting students in. His room overflows with students from all grades. Whether in search of a study spot, or a place to make conversation, Simpson’s room is the solution. He puts his work aside and makes time to get to know and interact with his students.
Whilst being affable, Simpson is also a wonderful teacher making his student’s goals his top priority, whether that be passing the AP test, or simply making it through the school year, Simpson pushes his students to reach their goals.
“A personal goal of mine is to build relationships,” Simpson said. “When students leave they may forget the class, but I hope I still build up those relationships with my kids.”
From retail, to insurance, to a desk, it took great perseverance to get Simpson to the job he’s longed for since his junior year of high school. The passion he shows in his teaching reflects onto him from Mr. Dykema, Simpson’s junior year AP U.S. History teacher.
“He loved what he did day in and day out and you could tell that he loved it. It was something where I went to college and got a degree in American History, so that I could teach American History. The subject itself I think is the most applicable,” Simpson said. “I didn’t get into it immediately after college, but after a while I kind of looked into what I was doing and where I wanted to go and I jumped into what I wanted to do.”
Simpson is a substantial figure Emerson students can look up to, proving to us that it takes time and much effort to get to where we want to be in life.
“Go without regrets for things,” Simpson said. “There’s a lot of times from my high school I look back on and I’m like, ‘Man, I wish I would’ve done that,’ and in hindsight, now as a 27 year old, I’m like, ‘Man, it’s a little too late for that.’ Whether it’s doing certain activities, applying for certain things, I would rather have, now looking back at it, tried for something and failed versus having that questioned out a decade later. Just go for it.”
