Intro by King Musa
"Yo, what it is? You know what it is. It's your man, King Musa! Welcome to The CheatSheet, the podcast where we decode success for creators, professors, and business owners. I'm your host, King Musa, and today we’re stepping into the world of STEM education.
We have a special guest shaping the future of teaching—Dr. Jane Long, Director of JacksTeach at Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Long is transforming STEM education and inspiring the next generation of educators. Let’s get into it!"
Getting to Know Dr. Long
King Musa: "Dr. Long, can you introduce yourself and share what you do at SFA?"
Dr. Long: "Absolutely! I’m a professor in the math department, and I also direct the JacksTeach program at SFA. JacksTeach is designed for students preparing to become high school math and science teachers. We get students into classrooms starting their first semester of college to give them real teaching experience right away."
Background and Academic Journey
KM: "Where did you grow up, and what led you into teaching and math?"
Dr. Long: "I graduated high school in Lincoln, Nebraska. I went to Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia, which has a strong math program. I later earned my graduate degree at the University of Maryland, where I met my husband, Nicholas Long, who’s also a professor in the math department at SFA. We moved here together for faculty positions."
Life Outside of Work
KM: "What are your hobbies outside of teaching and math?"
Dr. Long: "I spend a lot of time with my kids—they’re involved in many activities, and I try to support them as much as I can. I practice yoga regularly at Morning Glory Yoga downtown and love cooking and relaxing on weekends."
The Mission of JacksTeach
KM: "What’s the mission behind JacksTeach, and what initiatives are you working on?"
Dr. Long: "Our mission is to develop more qualified math and science teachers for Texas and beyond. We aim to prepare students to excel as educators while staying in the profession longer. One initiative we’re excited about is getting students into classrooms during their first semester and offering scholarships for our introductory courses."
STEM Focus and Collaboration
KM: "Is JacksTeach only for STEM majors, and how does it differ from the College of Education programs?"
Dr. Long: "Yes, JacksTeach is specifically for STEM majors. Students major in math or science and take specialized education courses with us. While we’re housed in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, we work closely with the College of Education to ensure students meet certification requirements."
Career Path and Growth
KM: "How did you transition into teaching at SFA, and what drew you to this path?"
Dr. Long: "After college, I realized I wanted to do more math, so I pursued graduate school. When applying for jobs, SFA stood out during the interview process. I hadn’t originally planned on teacher education, but mentors at SFA encouraged me to pursue it, and I found joy in helping students prepare for teaching careers."
Challenges and Overcoming Them
KM: "What challenges have you faced, especially without K-12 classroom experience?"
Dr. Long: "Sometimes students questioned my lack of K-12 experience, which is fair. I focused on emphasizing the importance of knowing the subject deeply, even if I didn’t have classroom management experience. I helped students develop strong mathematical understanding to better serve their future students."
Building the Program
KM: "What are some challenges JacksTeach faces?"
Dr. Long: "Recruiting students is our biggest challenge. We’d love to expand and bring in more students. We have an energetic team ready to grow the program, and I appreciate the opportunity to talk about it today."
Exciting Opportunities for Students
KM: "What opportunities can students look forward to in JacksTeach?"
Dr. Long: "We offer scholarships for introductory courses and larger scholarships through programs like T4 (Talented Teachers in Training for Texas). We also cover certification fees and provide paid internships for clinical teaching semesters."
Lessons and Advice
KM: "What lessons have you learned from leading JacksTeach, and what advice do you have for students?"
Dr. Long: "I’ve learned to rely on my experienced colleagues and focus on supporting them. For students, I recommend trying out our Step 1 course (JTCH 1101). We also offer job-shadowing programs with stipends and paid teaching internships. Even if you’re not a STEM major, we’ll help connect you with resources."
Outro by King Musa
"Dr. Long, thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and the impact of JacksTeach.
To our listeners—education shapes the future. Stay tuned for more episodes of The CheatSheet, where we decode success and help you elevate your path. This is King Musa signing off—keep teaching, keep learning, and keep making a difference!"
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