By MELISSA DUNN
Staff Writer
New mathematics teacher Jacob Weber says he applied to the district because “there were numerous people who had told me that they would have chosen NRHEG to work at as they have always heard really good things about the school.” Weber graduated from MSU Mankato in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in teaching mathematics and a minor in mathematics . He currently resides in Owatonna with Gigi the Tortico cat (he doesn’t know if she’s a tortoiseshell or a calico), though his hometown is Pine City. “Not to be confused with Pine Island,” he jokes. “Pine City is about 1 hour north of the Twin Cities and you need to pass through it on your way to Duluth.” Weber has five older siblings, is an uncle to eleven nieces and nephews, and is newly engaged.
Weber says he’s known he wanted to be a math teacher since the eighth grade. “I had an amazing math teacher who helped me enjoy and understand mathematics. I hope that my students will leave my classroom with a better appreciation for mathematics outside of the classroom.”
In his free time, Weber enjoys watching movies, playing video and board games, biking, playing tennis, cooking, hiking, arts and crafts, and puzzles. “One thing I could talk about forever is probably video games,” he says. “Video games are an amazing escape from reality–especially when you just need a break. They allow you to do things that are unimaginable in real life, and are a great way to spend time by yourself or with friends.”
Weber anticipates some great opportunities as 2023-24 develops. “I'm looking forward to this year and learning more about the teaching profession as well as my students.”