JORDAN HILL

Middle School History Teacher Jordan Hill describes himself as a kind, loyal, corny, and friendly coffee addict. He walks with a spring in his step and is dedicated to making people smile. He loves working with middle schoolers because he can relate to them and thrives on their energy. Jordan laughs and says, “After spending a considerable amount of time with me, say 10 minutes, people tend to realize that I am, in fact, a 13-year-old trapped inside an adult’s body.” Jordan and his two brothers grew up in Concord, Mass. “Our family abandoned the game of Monopoly due to the petty rivalries that sprung up, especially around Boardwalk and the Reading Railroad,” Jordan jokes. “I still have nightmares.” He dreamed of becoming an author and was ecstatic to contribute a chapter on Harlem to his college professor’s book, “50 Events that Shaped African American History.” While initially aspiring to teach history, Jordan doubted his teaching abilities and majored in communications and media studies instead. After graduating he landed a job in the communications office at Fenn School. He quickly realized that he loved working in a school but wanted to be in the classroom, so he pursued a master’s of education and the acquisition of a teaching position. Jordan’s love of history was cultivated by hours poring over textbooks, reading the Old Testament at church, and by his high school history teacher, Mr. Hoblitzelle—the first teacher who made him feel truly seen and respected. Outside of the classroom Jordan loves all things sports—volleyball, basketball, track and field, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. He enjoys watching “Psych” or his new fav “New Girl,” or listening to his “largest crush,” Tori Kelly, and Lawrence the Band. His ideal weekend involves coffee, a good book or podcast, and playing sports or board games with friends. While Europe beckons on his bucket list, Jordan has explored Cambodia, Thailand, Johannesburg, and embarked on a 10-day road trip from Boston to San Diego. He says the highlight of that trip was confirming that the only attractions in Kansas are barbecue and cornfields. Recalling a daring feat, Jordan describes climbing over the Grand Canyon railing to lean over the ledge…for a few minutes…but don’t tell his mom! He also recalls being terrified as he fought off a gang of raccoons with a broom. He’s very proud of being the fastest runner all through elementary school, but he’s still recovering from being dethroned in seventh grade. For anyone having him to dinner, Jordan hates peas, snap peas, and green beans. “If I buy a bag of mixed vegetables, I will dig through it to get rid of them,” Jordan grins. “Do you know how long that takes with a 4lb. bag?” What would he do if he wasn’t teaching? Jordan quips, “If being a barista was a ‘livable profession,’ I would be making latte art for students!”

What is the one thing in the world you would fix if you could wave a magic wand?
My height. I’m 5’8” and a half. Please don’t forget the half. There is nothing more shocking than leaving, coming back from spring break and everyone is taller than you.

What one piece of advice would you offer anyone who asks?
Welcome mistakes and accidents into your life, that is the only way to welcome wisdom and learning.

What in life makes you smile?
Hearing a baby’s laugh and a really bad dad Joke (which means that it was good and fabulous).

What is the one place in the world you would like to escape to and why?
Though I’ve never been, I think I would love to escape to Ireland or Scotland to see the rolling hills, misty cliffs, and the dopey faces of sheep.

What is the biggest risk you have ever taken in your life?
Leaving Boston to come down to Virginia to teach history to a bunch of crazy middle schoolers.

What helps you persevere when you feel like giving up?
My faith is one of the things that grounds me, but another pillar that I lean on, is the experience of my parents. They came from difficult circumstances and from a place of deficit and they prevailed, and that reminds me that I can do it too.