Her Story
About Jill
Jill Weaver is a middle school STEM teacher who has been in the field for many years. She began her teaching career after earning her teaching degree and initially taught language arts and social studies before transitioning to science, which she taught for 20 years. Weaver later designed a STEM course for her school district and has been teaching STEM 1, STEM 2, and Advanced STEM to grades 6 through 8 for the past six years. She holds a master's degree in education along with 184 contact hours of professional development. Her notable achievement includes receiving the Scott Crossfield Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame, nominated by Colonel Joseph Kittinger. Weaver is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the Earth Science Teachers Association, and Ohio Science Educators. During summers, she works with the Air Force Research Labs on community outreach and STEM camps for students. She attributes her success to never giving up, finding her people, and maintaining passion for her work. Weaver values honesty, integrity, humanity first, and compassion, and she advises maintaining work-life balance and mental health.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jill
01What do you attribute your success to?
Never giving up. Not letting life influence your choices. Sticking to something. Finding your people. I think all of those things add to that comfort level that you get, and ability to remain in your position, even during difficult times, because you're always going to have them.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To find something to do where it doesn't feel like work. Find a career that you are going to be so passionate about that you don't end up having to work. If you love what you do, you don't work a day in your life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not forget that you have a life outside of education. Take care of your mental health. Separate and try and make the best work life balance that you can. Teaching can be overwhelming if you don't have a balance. And then again, find your people, find your support system, because you will need it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges for anything technical are always going to be funding. I have gotten really good at grant writing. I've brought $500,000 into our school district for my course. Opportunities with all of the amount of crazy things that are happening in the industry of space and aerospace and research, I think those things will continue to grow.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty. Integrity. Humanity first. Compassion.
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