Jordyn Van Atta MAT '22 Builds Relationships With Students, Players He Coaches

As an educator, Jordyn Van Atta MAT ’22 expects to make a difference in the lives of his students.

“The positive impact that a relationship with an educator can have in a student's life is what drove me into education,” he said. “In my opinion there hasn't been a more impactful time to be an educator.”

Van Atta, who is finishing his master of arts in teaching in special education at Pacific, already teaches a special education class for middle-schoolers in the Reynolds School District in east Portland. A former professional baseball player in the independent leagues, he also is head baseball coach at Sandy (Ore.) High School. 

“I am the first to graduate college in my family,” he said. “My mom does work in social work with clients with special needs, and I learned a lot from watching how she builds relationships with her clients.”

He came to Pacific for his master’s because the university ensures that “every person who graduates from the College of Education will be successful in the classroom and a positive influence on their students.” 

Future students will benefit from Pacific’s supportive instructors, as he did, he said.

They should immerse themselves in the student experience, Van Atta said, “and realize that Pacific is more than a school. It is a community that is here to help you along not only your educational journey, but your life journey as well.”