Being an educator is a work of passion and HUB 127 member JD Weagley has made education his lifelong mission.
Born and raised in Marion, Indiana, JD and wife Amy moved to Princeton, her hometown, in 2007.
As a graduate of IU Kokomo in elementary education with a middle school endorsement, JD taught for three years in the Kokomo school system and then pursued other avenues of employment upon arrival in Princeton. Those avenues included internet advertising for the Princeton Daily Clarion, Mt Carmel Register, and Warrick County Standard; teaching computer classes through Work One; and advocating for special needs students through ATTIC, Inc. of Vincennes.
NGSC students may remember JD from his six years teaching science and social studies at PCMS before he moved on to his current position at the University of Southern Indiana as an instructional designer, a position that marries his interests in teaching and technology. JD’s primary job is working with USI faculty to design online courses, ensuring accessibility and promoting student engagement.
Between work and family - JD and Amy are parents to an incoming 8th grader and a sophomore in high school - JD squeezes in two days a week at the HUB 127 working on his doctoral studies, pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD). Inspired by his position at USI, he is currently working on his dissertation, exploring engagement strategies, theories and frameworks for online learning as part of online student engagement. In addition, JD is exploring online project-based learning with another faculty member and looking to publish that research in academic journals.
JD’s work stems not only from his own interests, but also the desire to help faculty engage their students. JD has seen first-hand what can happen when a student’s interest is piqued, both in his own classroom and his previous work leading the PCMS Robotics Club, and his life’s work is to ensure that others know how to make that happen as well.
So why bring that work to the HUB 127 on the days that he’s not on campus? JD says he learned through the pandemic that working from home, especially with kids, is not ideal and the struggle to focus is real. While the HUB isn’t completely distraction-free, coming here signals to his mind and body that it’s time to work.
We love having JD with us at the HUB 127 representing the many ways that coworking serves not only entrepreneurs but any professional looking for a productive, comfortable work environment. And we’re cheering him on as he wraps up his proposal, completes the research phase, and plans to defend his dissertation in the first part of 2024.
If you'd like to see how the HUB 127 can serve you in your professional work, schooling, or side hustle, stop by today for a tour!