Stevenson's passion for teaching leads him to Nevada

Tuesday, December 29, 2015
First-year Nevada Middle School teacher Jake Stevenson.

Jake Stevenson knew at a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in teaching. The 24-year-old first-year Nevada Middle School technology teacher drew inspiration from his late mother Terry, a teacher at Jefferson City's Blair Oaks Middle School who lost her battle with colon cancer when Jake was 13.

"She drove me to be a teacher," Stevenson said, "the way she impacted students, even while she was battling cancer. I knew by middle school and early high school that I wanted to be a teacher and coach. Teachers and coaches made the biggest impact on me when I was going through school. I was very fortunate to have good teachers and coaches."

Stevenson said a strong supporting cast helped him through difficult times after his mother passed away.

"My friends, the teachers she taught with, and some of the coaches in the school district," he said, "were able to provide support as I continued on through school. They helped with everything."

Stevenson was able to find refuge in sports, where he excelled in baseball, football, and basketball. Originally from St. Charles, Stevenson and his father Brian, a retired UPS worker, moved to Joplin during Stevenson's sophomore year in high school. Upon arriving in Joplin, Stevenson enrolled at Carl Junction High School, graduating in 2010. At Carl Junction, Stevenson earned numerous accolades in three sports. Stevenson said high school baseball coaches Flave Darnell and Rich Neria made positive impacts on him.

During his junior year in high school, Stevenson helped lead Carl Junction to a Missouri Class 3 State runner-up finish in baseball. Stevenson, a starting pitcher, took the mound in the state semifinals against Fulton, picking up the victory as CJ advanced to the state championship game. Stevenson was later named to the all-conference and all-district teams in baseball, basketball, and football, and all-area in baseball and basketball.

After a decorated prep career, Stevenson accepted a full-ride baseball scholarship to Pittsburg State University. Stevenson said he went through many trials and tribulations on the mound during his first three season at PSU, but was able to bounce back his senior season as he was tabbed as an MIAA All-Conference selection. Stevenson also played for the Joplin Outlaws of the MINK League.

"I stuck with it," he said, "I was very competitive. I had starts at PSU where I was thinking too much. And in baseball when you start thinking too much, you really start struggling."

Stevenson, a right-handed pitcher whose arsenal of pitches included a fastball, change-up and curveball, said he became more mentally tough his senior season at PSU.

"I developed a better attitude of the game," he said. "Each time I went out there, I started attacking the outside corner. And I told myself, 'if a guy gets a hit, stay with your philosophy.'"

Stevenson graduated from PSU in the spring of 2015, majoring in education.

Stevenson didn't have to spend much time job-hunting, as he accepted the position with Nevada Middle School shortly after graduation.

"Nevada has been awesome," Stevenson said. "My experience so far has been unbelievable. I want to make an impact on students, and be in a community where I can make an impact. I am where I want to be."

In addition to his teaching duties, Stevenson is an assistant middle school football coach, volunteer-assistant varsity basketball coach, and will enter his first year as an assistant varsity baseball coach this spring.

"As a first-year coach here I would like instill a strong work ethic in my players," he said, "and teach my players to always work hard as a team towards a common goal. Establishing a championship attitude is important. The championship attitude is something you can carry with you through all walks of life. Set a goal for yourself, work towards a goal and kind of let the rest take care of itself."

Stevenson had a busy summer, in addition to realizing his dream in the teaching profession, he tied the knot with wife Lindsey, who is a nutritional health specialist at the University of Missouri Extension. In addition, Stevenson's sister Maddie currently attends PSU. Stevenson's future plans include the completion of his master's in educational leadership, he said.

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