Onward: An Interview with Jordyn Clapper

By Veronica Corey
Communications and Marketing Specialist

Jordyn Clapper, originally from Surrey, was active in many campus groups during her time as a Minot State student.

She spent much of her free time with the Lutheran Campus Ministries, Minot State Choir, and Student North Dakota United (SNDU). She also worked with the Enrollment Office for two years and helped with Welcome Weekend by giving tours of the campus.

The elementary education graduate has entered her third year of teaching. She has always been an active community member, participating in sports, camps, and church events. Clapper loved being around others and helping, especially with students.

Amid the whirlwind of last-minute wedding plans, University Communications managed to steal a moment with the soon-to-be Mrs. Evanoff to chat about her MSU memories and her exciting journey as a teacher.

What inspired you to pursue a career in teaching, and how has your experience been so far?
JC: If you ask my parents, they say I have always wanted to be a teacher. I was really inspired to be a teacher when I was in high school, and a lower elementary teacher asked if I'd be willing to come and help her in her classroom with a project. Being there one or two times turned into going multiple times a week through my junior and senior years. I helped with projects and one-on-one work, decorating, and organizing. I especially loved seeing that light bulb moment go off when a skill finally clicked or when the student was successful at something, and I still get that excited feeling now in my own classroom.

Why did you choose Minot State University for your education?
JC: I chose Minot State because I loved the small school factor. Growing up in a small school really showed me the benefits of building those relationships with friends and teachers. Minot State also had a great feel. It just felt like home when I toured and talked to the other students there.

How did Minot State University prepare you for your teaching career?
JC: Minot State prepared me for the academic part of teaching, like planning, preparing materials, and having an organized classroom. I also learned that there will be so many curve balls thrown at you that you will learn as you go, especially since the COVID-19 Pandemic. There is a gap, and meeting that gap is individualized for each student and family that was affected by it. MSU prepared me as much as they could, even though they would never be able to prepare us for every scenario. I still couldn't be more grateful for that opportunity to learn, even if there were moments I doubted the process.

What do you find most rewarding about your current teaching position?
JC: The most rewarding part of the job is a couple of different things. I will always love it when I watch kids grow throughout the year and become successful in something they struggled with or didn't like. I'm known as the crier because I try to make it a big deal when they've worked so hard to accomplish something. The other really rewarding feeling is when I've built great relationships with students who haven't been in my classroom yet. I coached high school girls basketball my first year teaching in Max, and those high school girls come down to my room and visit often. I also have snacks, so we know the real reason they come down.

Were there any specific professors, courses, or experiences at Minot State that had a significant impact on your career path?
JC: My favorite class was American Sign Language 1 with MariDon Sorum. Even though it was during peak COVID-19, I learned so much in that class, and I still use those skills in my classroom and when I work at my other jobs helping others communicate.

How did the community and environment at Minot State contribute to your personal and professional growth?
JC: I chose Minot State partially because of the smaller campus and the close-knit community that came with that. I built great relationships with the professors I worked with and still am in contact with them now three years post-graduation. Minot State also brought me some of my closest friends, who have now become my village. Minot State gives me a sense of pride talking about where I went to school and the experiences I had. Being able to share that with my students is very special to me since we are so close to Minot.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a teacher, and how do you overcome them?
JC: The biggest challenge I have faced as an educator is finding all of the gaps for our students and finding those needs that need to be met to help them be successful. I am very thankful I work in a smaller school district where class sizes range from 8-12 students per grade. I do have friends who work in bigger districts where they have over 20 students in their classrooms. My first-year students were Kindergarteners when COVID-19 hit, so filling all of those gaps was a big challenge. There will always be gaps for students because each and every student learns differently, and as teachers, we need to take the time to help them succeed at their level and bridge that gap.

How do you continue to grow and develop as an educator?
JC: I love visiting with other educators in other school districts to see what they do. Learning from each other is such an important part of how we help each other as educators. There is a phrase out there that says, "Don't reinvent the wheel," and it is so accurate as long as it benefits our students. I also attend a few professional developments throughout the year with my school district. One I am really looking forward to this year is a new study for reading called LETRS.

Can you share a memorable moment or success story from your teaching career?
JC: As a teacher. I feel like there are so many memorable moments. My favorite will have to be when my former students come to my room and talk with my current ones about all the things they learned and the experiences they had. One specific one I do around every holiday season is "Shopping for the Giving Tree." We review wants vs needs, money, and budgeting, and we discuss that sometimes the holidays aren't always great for people. Watching my students give back and be proud of helping others who are less fortunate was very heartwarming.

How do you incorporate what you learned at Minot State University into your daily teaching practices?
JC: I use a majority of what I have learned at Minot State in my classroom, but even in the three years post-graduation, education is constantly changing with new technology, new curriculum, new research on new theories or ways of understanding reading, math, etc. The most important thing I learned to incorporate is to take the time to make lessons above and beyond because students won't remember the worksheets or some of the books they read. They will remember the core memories you created with them. One of my friends, who is also a teacher, said, "I hope our students remember these days as much as we do," and that hit to the core because I remember my teachers, but I don't have any vivid core memories in those classrooms.

What advice would you give to current Minot State students who are aspiring to become teachers?
JC: My advice to aspiring teachers is that there will be times of doubt, stress, and fear, but in the end, once you walk across that stage to receive your diploma, everything is worth it. The excitement of thinking of setting up your own classroom with your very own group of students is something to push towards because it really is a special moment and something I will cherish forever.

Tell us about life outside of the classroom.
JC: Outside of school, you may find me working at Scheels, officiating high school girls and boys basketball in the winter, or serving at the Vardon Bar and Grill at the Vardon Golf Club in the summer. Besides working, I love spending time with my future husband, family, and friends at various activities. We are avid hunters and love the outdoors, so yes, I am the teacher who brings deer skulls in for show and tell. Thank my dad, Chad Clapper, for that one. We also have five beautiful nieces and nephews (Liam, Lyla, Eleanor, Winnie, and Hank) that we love chasing. We recently started traveling and found a love for hiking, especially in the mountains! Concerts/live music is also a very big part of our adventures since we find ourselves at a concert every couple of months. Our most recent concert was Machine Gun Kelly at the North Dakota State Fair, the next concert will be Dylan Gossett in Minneapolis after our wedding. I am also very involved in assisting with service at Hope Lutheran Church in Surrey, where I help as worship leader and as council president.

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 09/06/24

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