Lessons I took from the Hill
From the first presidential campaign I can remember, I was captivated by the intrigue of what makes people choose to vote for a candidate. At the same time, I grew up playing any sport I could learn. Soccer, basketball, baseball, football, tennis, golf — you name it and I tried to play it.
How could I find a way to intertwine my passions into a career field that would also allow me to be the best person I could be? My time at McDaniel helped me pursue my passions in a way that allowed me to mentor, teach, and inspire the next generation. The experiences I had in college — and more importantly, the people I crossed paths with — helped to shape my life beyond McDaniel.
Even before my turn to ring in on Old Main bell, I spent summers at Western Maryland College through programs like Maryland Leadership Workshops and Boys State. It was there that I met Professor Herb Smith, who had a way of leaving an indelible mark on you without you realizing it. When I studied Political Science while in college, Dr. Smith and Dr. Debora Johnson-Ross created a safe space to explore what the world of politics had to offer. I was empowered to experience politics while learning about it, through the Maryland Student Legislature, Model U.N., and as a student visitor to the Board of Trustees.
While I was enjoying my political education, it was also an honor to play on the McDaniel College football team during our run of Centennial Conference Championships in the early 2000s. I learned a great deal from my teammates and made lifelong bonds. I also worked as an intramural official and started a club volleyball team that competed against other colleges and universities in the area. The competitive edge that I had was fueled by the experiences I had with coaches like Al Thomas ’68, Tim Keating, and Brad Fordyce ’01.
As I approached graduation, I worked with Dr. Sue Travetto to become a secondary social studies teacher. She helped me see how I could combine my passions in my career: While teaching high school social studies and coaching football, wrestling, and volleyball, I could continue to be an advocate and participate in the political process by working with my local teachers’ union, the Montgomery County Education Association. I returned to the Hill in 2013 to earn my master’s degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education (with a specialization in Administration), a continuation of doing what I loved.
As a veteran teacher, I remain grateful for my McDaniel education. My positive experiences gave me a strong foundation as an educator and have influenced me to stay in the field in a time when it’s become hard to recruit teachers. I’m able to inspire and educate another generation the way my McDaniel professors and coaches molded me, and it makes me proud when my students go on to McDaniel. I wish for them all to find and cultivate their passion just as I did on the Hill.
Dustin Jeter ’05, M.S. ’15 earned a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies and an M.S. in Exercise Science and Physical Education. He is currently a teacher in Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools and a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery County Education Association.