1996 MCC Graduate
Gary Jensen “has the best job ever,” but it’s much different than he planned when he started college 20 years ago.
Jensen, 38, is the principal of Bright Start Elementary School in Lakeview and the Lakeview High School varsity football coach.
He started classes at Montcalm Community College during fall semester 1989. At the time, he was pursuing an education in criminal justice and wanted to work in law enforcement. After finishing his general education requirements at MCC, Jensen transferred to a four-year university.
“I was just not ready to be taking classes at that level,” Jensen says.
So, he returned to Lakeview to work in his family’s business. As a member of the community and former high school athlete, Jensen says an opportunity to coach Lakeview High School’s varsity baseball team changed his life.
“Coaching gave me some insight into working with kids and building a team,” Jensen says. “I eventually decided to go back to school and get my degree in education. I have been attending school in some form ever since then.”
Jensen earned his associate degree in general studies from MCC in May 1996 and his bachelor’s degree in Education from Central Michigan University in 1999. In 2003, he earned his master’s degree in education from Grand Valley State University.
The beginning of Jensen’s teaching career took him to the Onaway Area School District.
But, he had a chance to return to his hometown community in 2002 when he was hired as the school district’s full-time athletic director. He soon moved into the principal position at Bright Start Elementary School.
“If I would not have taken all the opportunities afforded to me I would not have been qualified or probably even considered for the best job ever,” he says. “I love working with the different levels of kids on a daily basis. I go from small kids to big kids every day, and it really keeps me excited about what we are accomplishing.”
Jensen says his experiences at MCC helped shape his life.
“It was just a great time for me to grow a little more prior to spending the money and resources at the four-year school,” he says. “I believe my experiences at MCC contributed to my collegiate successes. I will always remember Mr. Peacock and the classes I had with him as I was trying to earn my criminal justice degree. I still talk to him once in a while.”
Jensen also credits his family for their support.
“My parents never discouraged me from moving on and allowed me to be a bit of a risk taker. My wife of 15 years worked full time as I went back to school at age 25 and allowed me to finish my graduate degree by age 28,” Jensen says. “She is now attending MCC to earn a degree in accounting. I am glad she has decided to start at MCC and work through the initial program at the local level.”
This article is reprinted from MCC’s Winter 2009 edition of Career Focus magazine. Visit http://www.montcalm.edu/cf/winterl2009/index.asp to view the magazine.