Daniel Jones, from North Manchester, Ind., has always felt committed to making an impact on the lives of others.

The “super senior” who’s planning on graduating this Spring with a degree in health and physical education (K-12) and in sports and fitness management with a fitness concentration, is gearing up for three interviews in the surrounding area with hopes of obtaining a teaching job.

However, he does have a backup plan if things do not pan out in the way that he expected them to. If there are no teaching jobs in health and physical education, along with coaching opportunities available, Jones plans to get certified in strength and conditioning this summer to add to his already sterling resume. Then if he cannot find a job by the time that schools go back into session, he plans to use his fitness major and take the personal training exam. Upon passing this exam Jones will be certified to become a personal trainer while he waits for teaching positions to open up.

Even though the Manchester native could just get a job with personal training and stay with it, Jones is more than determined to make sure his path in life leads him back to teaching.

“I love working with kids and young adults and having the possibility of shaping their current lives and hopefully their future,” Jones said. “I would love to focus on instilling lifelong fitness in my students by teaching them and showing them the benefits of proper nutrition and regular physical activity.”

Jones isn’t one to preach about things that he doesn’t believe or actually take part in. So when he says that his wish is to bring about better habits for the students that he wants to teach, he will be doing everything that he is addressing.

“I eat very well and exercise two times a day, five times a week, and hopefully I can model for my students the healthy lifestyle,” Jones said. “Now I realize that I can’t make a country-wide impact, but I can at least make an impact at my school.”

During his time at Manchester High School and Manchester College Jones has learned many different approaches in order to become an effective and respected teacher to his students. One of the many life lessons that he has learned came from Jabin Burnworth, his biology teacher in high school.

“He was very laid back, interactive, fun and invigorating when he taught, which drew in students’ attention and really made them want to learn,” Jones said. “I feel his approach to teaching is very similar to one that I have adopted and that is keeping kids engaged and curious with both the drive and the willingness to learn.”

Through all of his studies and hard work in creating a lifestyle that he can teach to others, Jones has learned patience and flexibility that only a true teacher can portray properly.

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