Jacob Mell Email & Phone Number

I have been fortunate to amass a multitude of life experiences so far. To summarize, I'll try to follow my father's usual lead-off, two things! The first thing is I pride myself on a lifelong learner mindset. I have been to many different countries, from Honduras to Spain to Canada and lived all over the continental United States. One constant in all of those places is the opportunity to expand your perspective. I find my most explosive growth comes through interactions with both people and nature, whether it's dancing salsa and kizomba with strangers in Montreal, or solo kayaking to a small unpopulated patch of beach and flora off the coast of Puerto Rico. These experiences have only enriched the life I have lived. I view employment the same way, a great opportunity to discover new skills and learn, I've worked in the fast-paced, pressure cooker of restaurant kitchens, done long over-night shifts as a warehouseman, and the incredibly unpredictable and yet fulfilling atmosphere of public education. All these have contributed to the person I've become so far and I'm excited for the wealth of knowledge I have yet to learn.Second thing! I really pride myself on my ability to create a safe space where people of any background and upbringing can feel a sense of belonging. My childhood spent in rural areas of Idaho and Michigan taught me much about small communities, towns, and villages and how important it is to value the people around and respect and support each other despite your differences. Going to Michigan State University as part of 50,000 students created a unique opportunity for trial and error when it came to replicating that small town feel with people from all over the world. My travels and different work experiences cemented the importance that community and fellowship held for me which has culminated in my job as a high school Spanish teacher. I can say with pride that my students in my classes and student government organization are able to attest to the safe space I'm able to produce in my classroom and surroundings. It helps me too, as I'm constantly challenged to practice empathy and mindfulness with students facing difficult trauma and adversity.These are the two things (that just like my father tends to do, are far more than two things) that I think best encapsulate who I am as an individual. I'm striving to improve my growth mindset and build a better life not only for myself but for the people I interact with professionally and personally and all of our future generations.