“I have a passion for history and the stories that history tells, and I love sharing these stories with the students,” eighth-grade teacher Jordan Kreeger shares. Whether a lesson centers on the foundations of our country or a discussion shaped by current events, Mr. Kreeger shares his passion with students through a variety of highly engaging lessons.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Penn State University, Mr. Kreeger graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2021 with a master's degree in Secondary Education. His long-term goal is to receive his doctorate in Educational Leadership and become a principal someday.

Originally on a path toward law school, Mr. Kreeger found his passion for teaching while volunteering at the Miracle League and working with children with special needs. That experience shifted everything. “I fell in love with working with children and helping them succeed, and I found a true passion in education.”

In his 4th year at The Franciscan School and his 5th year teaching overall, Mr. Kreeger has become a thoughtful educator and leader among his peers. Most recently, he brought fresh ideas and inspiration back to campus after attending the American Middle Level Educators Conference in Indianapolis.

“Jordan is an emerging leader,” Dean of Engagement Colette Dziadul shares. “He is accessible to all of his students, values each student, and assists them in working to their individual potential. He is a true team player.” That spirit extends beyond the classroom as well, in that Jordan recently took over as one of the Student Council advisors.

One of the things Mr. Kreeger loves about teaching middle school is that every year is a new adventure. “Every day I learn something new from my students,” he shares, “and their curiosity continues to amaze and surprise me.” He is particularly fond of 8th grade because it is a year when students balance growing into themselves with the joy and playfulness of childhood. He embraces that in-between space, meeting students where they are while challenging them to think critically about the world around them.

A day in Mr. Kreeger’s classroom never looks the same as the day before. A typical day begins with prayer, the one constant in an ever-evolving schedule. He is always looking for ways to adapt lessons to meet the needs of each group of students. Based on that adapting mindset, this year, Mr. Kreeger introduced a house system designed to foster collaboration among students and accountability for their peers, as they are in the final stretch of their middle school careers.

Mr. Kreeger also enjoys teaching students about the world, specifically the United States, and how our country was formed and has changed over our 250-year history. The content he teaches directly relates to the students’ everyday life: “My goal is to make every student who steps into my classroom a better citizen and person when they leave TFS and go to high school.”

Mr. Kreeger strives to be the teacher he once needed himself as a middle schooler, creating a classroom where students feel comfortable being their authentic selves. “Last year on my year-end evaluation form, one of my students said they loved that I run my class like a family dinner, and I have leaned into that mentality and adopted that into my teaching.”

We are grateful to have you, Mr. Kreeger!