Big Rapids Public Schools is excited to welcome Jordan VanSickle-Covey, known to students as Mrs. Covey, as a new science teacher at Big Rapids High School. Bringing experience in a wide range of science courses, a passion for connecting with students, and an engaging personality, Mrs. Covey is excited to join the Cardinal family this fall.
A graduate of Morley Stanwood High School's Class of 2006, Mrs. Covey earned her bachelor's degree in Biology and Forensic Science from Ferris State University before completing her master's degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design through Concordia University Ann Arbor. It was through her graduate studies that she earned her teaching certification and discovered a calling she hadn't originally planned to pursue.
Before coming to Big Rapids Public Schools, Mrs. Covey spent the past four years teaching at Cedar Springs High School, where she taught Conceptual Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. Her experience teaching a variety of science courses has prepared her to create engaging learning experiences that challenge and inspire students.
Interestingly, becoming a teacher wasn't always part of Mrs. Covey's plan.
"My parents were both educators, and I actually fought the idea of becoming a teacher because I didn't want to follow in their footsteps," she shared. "When my family needed some extra income, they encouraged me to substitute teach. That's when everything changed. I connected with the students, and I realized that's exactly where I was meant to be."
Today, she credits her parents for inspiring the way she approaches education.
"I try to follow their example by seeing each student as a whole person."
Family plays an important role in Mrs. Covey's life. She and her husband, Nicholas, have been married for 16 years after reconnecting several years following high school graduation. Together they have three children at home—Caleb, Foster, and Bellamy—as well as two dogs and two cats. Their family also lovingly remembers their son, Gideon, whose life continues to inspire them each day. Through both joyful moments and difficult experiences, Mrs. Covey says her family has taught her resilience, gratitude, and the importance of cherishing every opportunity to make meaningful connections.
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Covey enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, and watching movies. In fact, she's creating a movie-themed tattoo sleeve, with each tattoo representing a meaningful memory or connection with her family. She also enjoys solving jigsaw puzzles and often uses completed puzzles to decorate her classroom, adding a unique personal touch that students are sure to notice.
As she begins her first year at Big Rapids High School, Mrs. Covey is looking forward to building relationships with students, sharing her enthusiasm for science, and creating a classroom where curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful connections thrive.
Please join us in giving Mrs. Covey a warm Cardinal welcome to Big Rapids High School and Big Rapids Public Schools!