From athlete to mathlete
Updated: Oct 2
Whether on the court or in the classroom, Jill Scanlon has made her presence known at Mead Public Schools.
“You know that I’m not quiet,” Scanlon said. “I’m not just 6-foot-4, but I’m loud.”
While she’s well-known after 12 years in Mead’s halls, many might not realize she was also a presence on the courts in college.
During her five years at Peru State College, Scanlon participated in volleyball and basketball for the first two years. She continued to take part in volleyball for an additional two years, however, she quit basketball after her sophomore year.
“I had to lose one,” Scanlon said. “It was too much.”
Scanlon is in the Hall of Fame at Peru State, recognized during her freshman year with the basketball team as well as her sophomore year with the volleyball team. Scanlon is also in the Hall of Fame individually.
Her success on the court persuaded her to pass on her knowledge and skills to future athletes and become a coach.
“I’ll be honest, the reason I became a teacher is because I wanted to be a coach first,” Scanlon said.
Knowing she had to teach to be a coach, Scanlon evaluated her options to decide which subject she liked to teach best.
“I liked math best,” Scanlon said. “Math is very interesting to me.”
Teaching has grown on Scanlon; during her student-teaching experience, she developed a fondness for teaching. She said she loves to witness the moment when the light bulb turns on for the kids who are struggling.
Scanlon enjoys teaching Algebra I, however, she has taken a liking to College Algebra, which she incorporated in her schedule this year.
“It is a challenge,” Scanlon said, “and I like that we’re being able to offer college classes to students here at Mead again, which has not been done since I got here.”
Scanlon has never held back from facing a challenge. Even while attending Auburn High School, as a student-athlete herself, she knew the only way to improve was to push herself. During her time there, she participated in volleyball, basketball and track.
“If you want to be a good athlete, you go out for track because track makes you an overall athlete,” Scanlon said.
During Scanlon’s 30 years of teaching, including time at Wilber-Clatonia, Bishop Neumann, Twin River, Boys Town and Mead, she coached many different sports. Her position varied with each season and school.
Some seasons, she was the junior high coach. Others she was the assistant or head coach for a high school team.
“I am the queen of multiple jobs,” Scanlon said.
These range from driving the detasseling bus in the summer to selling merchandise for concerts at CHI.
For about three or four years, Scanlon worked at Casey’s, where she made donuts. She arrived there at 3 a.m. and finished the job at 8 a.m.
Scanlon is also a volleyball referee, as well as a bus driver for Mead Public Schools and relies on these extra jobs to supplement her teaching income.
With her three children attending Bishop Neumann, she must make extra money to cover their tuition.
Besides the need to make extra money, Scanlon is an extrovert and loves talking to people.
“I’m a very social person,” Scanlon said. “I don’t like just being at home.”
Now that Scanlon has found a second home here at Mead, she is here to stay.
“I always say I’ll retire from here,” Scanlon said. “I love it here.”
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