Faculty Profile: Jerry Will

Ju Youn Kang / The Bulletin

Jerry Will has delivered over 22 years of teaching and administrative experience to Emporia State since becoming the chair of school leadership and secondary/ middle school teacher education. Will joined the faculty June 15, 1997, and has enjoyed the position’s responsibilities ever since.

“I receive a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction working with the department faculty and staff in meeting the needs of our clientele, the students,” Will said.

Will was born and raised in Linton, North Dakota. After attending the public schools in Linton, Will continued his education and received many degrees.

He first attended Bismarck Junior College and received an Associate Arts Degree. He then obtained a Bachelor of Science in elementary education with a minor in social science from Dickinson State University. For building level administration, Will acquired his Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Northern Iowa.

Later, he received a special in education from Fort Hays State University for district level administration. Finally, Will obtained a Doctorate in philosophy in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University.

Will worked a number of odd jobs before and during his professional career. He managed a clothing store, worked as a salesperson, worked at a cemetery and drove an ice delivery truck at different stages in his life.

“Every job I have ever held has helped shape who I am today,” Will said.

Will also worked as a teacher and administrator for many years. He was building principal in Larned for six years. Then, Will served as a superintendent for Burlingame and Centre schools during the 1980s and ‘90s.

During Will’s career, he also taught on a Sioux Indian Reservation. He had 26 Sioux sixth grade students who came from neglected families. Will became very close with the students and had a great experience working with them. According to Will, this position also proved to be a positive influence on his life, as it molded him into what he is today.

“At the time, I used to joke that I should have received combat pay,” Will said. “The only reason I left that position was because of the violence that erupted between the Sioux nation and the FBI in the Hills of South Dakota.”

As current department chair and professor at ESU, Will’s position holds many responsibilities. With the help of his office assistant Anita Davis, Will advises approximately 200 students per semester. When admission is completed, he then assigns each student to a permanent advisor within the curriculum and instruction masters, the educational administration masters, and the non-degree programs. Will said that he spends about three hours sorting through hundreds of e-mails each day.

Davis has worked as Will’s assistant for three years. She explained that one of his strongest qualities is his fairness. Will always studies both sides of an issue before making a decision. Davis also commented on his dedication to his students.

“He’s a great guy,” Davis said. “He is very committed to making sure students get what they need.”

Will currently teaches school law and regulations and a four hour educational administration practicum class. He also visits practicum students in cities around the state. Will said that instructing these classes would have been very difficult if he hadn’t obtained so much experience.

Teresa Mehring, dean of the Teachers College, has worked with Will since he arrived in 1997. Mehring said that Will is well organized and possesses efficient leadership qualities and the she is able to depend on him to research problems or questions and come up with realistic solutions.

Will was inspired to choose this career path because he loves working with students and acting as an advocate for them. Throughout his education and profession, Will has experienced a number of frustrations with the education process. He now dedicates his time to limiting these obstacles and aggravations for ESU students.

Throughout his career, Will has received many plaques and certificates. However, these are not his greatest rewards.

“My greatest and most meaningful awards are the smiles and ‘thank you’ notes or letters from students, teachers, and administrators,” Will said. “That makes it all worth while.”

Will has three children, which includes two sons and a daughter who all reside in Kansas. Among them, he has five grandchildren. According to Mehring, Will has a great sense of humor and enjoys playing practical jokes on people.

Will chose to come to Emporia because he was so impressed with the faculty and administration at the Teachers College. He said that if it weren’t for them, he would not be working at ESU.

After dedicating over thirty years to education, Will has not put much thought into retirement.

“What retirement?” Will said. “I love what I do.”