Five on Friday

Featuring Jonathan Bartling '99,
assistant professor of education/director of assessment and accreditation for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

1. You graduated with a music education degree. How did you end up teaching within the School of Education?
I actually took a job in Olivet's media department while I was waiting for my wife to graduate.

When I started applying for high school choir teaching positions, I had a couple of job interviews and offers. But Dr. Streit called to see if I would consider becoming a faculty member in media, training faculty how to use technology in their classrooms. I said yes, went back to get my master's degree, and then in 2004, a position opened in the School of Education. Been here ever since...

2. But you weren't much of a tech guy before?
No, I hadn't ever been a tech person. I had my mom type papers for me in high school! But since I had taken the Instructional Technology course for my undergrad degree, they thought I could handle it. Now I actually teach that course!

3. How is music still a part of your life?
Even though I'm not teaching music these days, I enjoy getting to still be involved in music. I enjoy singing in the choir, and my wife and I have been involved in Kankakee Valley Theatre productions in the past.

4. Tell us about your family.
My wife, Mindy, and I have one adopted son and one biological son - a shock pregnancy we didn't think was possible - and we are in the waiting process for adopting our third child. We call them Miracle #1, Miracle #2 and Miracle #3, respectively. Our boys are hilarious and keep us crazy busy!

5. Ever get any downtime with your wife?
One of our favorite activities is to eat dinner in Chicago and then head to a Broadway show. We love musical theater and love to eat well - especially in Chicago restaurants!