Jason Call, Humanities 7/8

I'm Jason Call, and I started teaching Humanities at Salt Lake Arts Academy in 2010.

Teaching History has changed the way I think about politics and the importance of knowing how the government functions and how and why it became what it is today. Knowing that I have other people's children in my class has caused me to be thoughtful about what I teach. I want to make sure parents and students understand how important this topic is. And I love that History is paired with Language Arts because I get to apply Language Arts skills to US History. I have also enjoyed coming up with more and better literature to accompany the History scope and sequence. AND! I work with the best team ever who endlessly shares their ideas with the entire team.

My teaching philosophy is simple: students learn more and produce more if they know their teacher likes them. They need to feel comfortable in the learning atmosphere. I try to provide a situation that is friendly and inviting. I also try to follow my mom's three F's: firm, fair, and fun. I treat kids like anyone else. I don't talk down to them. I treat them as my equals.

Outside of work, I attend lots of live music events, gallery strolls, and dinner parties with friends and family. My family has a house in Laketown, Utah, near Bear Lake, and I spend lots of time there. I travel most holidays, including to Mexico a dozen times over the past 10 years, and I have spent many summers in Europe over the past 20 years.

My son lives in Portland, is recently married, and I get to visit him often. He's addicted to surfing, and the two of us are always planning our next beach adventure. Bonus—he's my best friend! We've skated and surfed together since he was a little boy. I was the "Skatepark Dad" and know most of his friends from those days.