Driver steps down as Arts & Sciences dean to return to passion of teaching math

by Isa Torres, staff writer

                                                                

The fall semester has started, and a position is empty in the division of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Jay Driver the man who served as dean of arts and sciences for three semesters recently stepped down from that position to return to the classroom to teach math and technology.
Dr. Driver was born in 1968, in Plainview. He has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in math, in addition to a doctorate in Instructional Technology, from Texas Tech University. 

According to Dr. Driver, he enjoyed being the dean of the Arts and Sciences, but his love for teaching made him realize that the position was not for him.

“Some people can do both things, but I couldn’t.” Dr. Driver said “I just couldn’t find the time to teach and being on a desk. Maybe I’m just not wired to do this.”

 Dr. Driver is married and has two children.

“My family supported my decision” Dr. Driver said. “They trust me.”

Dr. Driver says he learned a lot during the time spent as dean. He said that he happily accepted this charge, and he knew it was not going to be an easy job.

“My goal has always been the same,” Dr. Driver said, “to give them the best of me and show them all the good opportunities that SPC and learning can give you.”

“I saw how the administration works, and I built a lot of relationships with people from the faculty," he added.

Building relationships and dealing with people is very important for Dr. Driver. His personal goals include treating people as individuals and helping them with the personal problems of each person. Dr. Driver is a well-prepared person who is willing to and likes to help people. As a dean or as teacher, he is available to help students to progress, giving them the tools to become better individuals.

 “I missed being in a class room, with students,” said Dr. Driver, adding that his teaching made him realize that he enjoys being in a classroom rather than being in an office. Although he would have loved to do both things, it was better for him to focus on what he really loves, which is teaching.

“Nothing has changed,” Dr. Driver said “The only different thing now is that I know more people from the faculty, and when a student needs help and I can’t help them I, know where to send them.”

A way to impact people is to personally be with them in the classroom. Dr. Driver wanted that, but he was not able to do that as much as he wanted when served as dean.

“I couldn’t teach,” Dr. Driver said. “There was not a consistent time for me to teach.”

 “I love my job,” he added.

Darrell Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, said that Dr. Driver “did an excellent job as dean.”

Grimes said that he first was disappointed when Dr. Driver told him he wanted to resign. He knew that Dr. Driver was a fantastic person, and loosing him was not a good thing.

 “I knew he missed teaching,” Grimes said “I myself miss teaching. It is very important to do what you are best at, and he (Dr. Driver) is doing that now. Teaching is the most important thing, not being the dean,” Grimes added.

But now that Dr. Driver is no longer the dean, Grimes has to look for a person who can fill the void.

“We are looking for people that care about students and faculty as a dean.” Grimes said. “There are about 17 applicants.”

Grimes added that some of the applicants are from SPC, while some are from outside the college.

“We do look for certain qualities in the applicants,” said Grimes.

In order to apply for the job as dean of arts and sciences Grimes said candidates should be a teacher, have some kind of experience, have communication skills, and be efficient with those communication skills.

Grimes said the job will be open until the position is filled, but he said he thinks that the position could remain vacant for awhile

“The position will probably be empty until a year from now,” Grimes said. “But in spring, if the position is still open, then the search will be very intensive.”