Growing up, Jeremy Reimers, a 2011 Leyton High School graduate, never pictured himself working in education. However, he developed a big interest in science in high school, and he discovered that he was pretty good at it, too. So, he decided he wanted to be a high school science teacher and also coach. Reimers is now in his sixth year working in education, including the last four at Bridgeport High School. He’s coming off his most successful season as a football coach at Bridgeport, and he was even named the Class C-2 Coach of the Year. However, the season also became the most difficult one of Reimer’s career after one of the team’s top players was killed in an auto accident midway through the season.
JEFF FIELDER Editor
BRIDGEPORT – As much as Jeremy Reimers loved being involved in sports, especially football, he didn’t picture athletics being part of his career after college.
Yes, he had thought about being a high school coach someday, but he wasn’t sure about the teaching part of it.
“I grew up on a farm, so I really wasn’t a school-type of kid,” he said with a laugh. “I was never crazy successful in class, so teaching wasn’t something I ever really thought about doing.”
That changed, however, his sophomore year at Leyton High School, when he excelled in his biology class.
“I thought, ‘OK, maybe science is something I’m good at,’” he said.
The next year, Reimers performed well in his chemistry class, too. In fact, he had one of the top grades in his class. He continued to excel in science his senior year, recording high grades in physics.
“At that point, I thought, ‘Wow, I’m pretty good at this,’” he said. “I enjoyed science, and I was good at it, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should do something in the science field.’”
He says his high school science teacher, Rob Shoopman, had a lot to do with his interest and success in science.
“I had a really good science teacher who pushed me in a way where I did well in science,” Reimers said. “I thought his classes were really interesting, and he made it fun, so that kind of led me to start loving science. By the end of my junior year, I knew I wanted to be a science teacher – in addition to coaching.”
You can read the entire story in the December issue of Nspire Today! magazine. A one-year subscription (12 issues) is only $15. You may sign up for a subscription by sending $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363, or you may pay with a credit card by calling 308-220-8865.
The current issue of Nspire Today! magazine is available at locations listed below.
