Liv Bell

Jadon Chiu teaches his class using hands-on activities.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s welcomes recent University of Minnesota graduate Jadon Chiu to teach ninth-grade biology. Chiu learned about the teaching opportunity at BSM while applying for jobs after completing his master’s program at the University of Minnesota. He realized that there were not many science teaching positions available around the Twin Cities. BSM was the only school he interviewed at, and the only one that he heard back from.

Chiu knew early on that he wanted to be a teacher and spent his first year at the University of Minnesota deciding between teaching biology and psychology. He eventually decided on biology because he felt a greater affinity for it. “I think there were a lot of influential teachers in my life, and teaching just seemed like a meaningful position that could take you lots of places,” Chiu said.

Chiu noticed that it has been quite a different experience from his student teaching to becoming a teacher now. “It really does feel different to have your own classroom and to have to set your own rules and expectations, and I’m still figuring that out,” Chiu said.

Chiu said that his colleagues, based solely on what they can see, might describe him as disorganized, sociable, and taking initiative in learning the BSM environment. Chiu has enjoyed teaching multiple grades because every kid has their own unique personality. “I’ve enjoyed working with all of the grades I’ve taught…kids have their own senses of humor and energy,” Chiu said.

When asked about hobbies or pastimes, Chiu mentioned playing the guitar; he is still discovering his other interests. He also spoke about how, ever since becoming a science teacher, he has started collecting rocks, which he believes could be a developing hobby now that he teaches Earth science. “It wasn’t something that, again, I had a whole lot of interest in before, but now that I’m actually teaching earth science, I think I’m looking at rocks with a different perspective,” Chiu said.