Caleb John (CJ) Parmer is the new high school English teacher at Southwest MN Christian. He has three English classes (seniors, juniors, and freshmen) he is teaching this fall and next spring he will also be teaching high school speech.

This is CJ’s first teaching position. He graduated from Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis this past May with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies.

CJ did not always know that he wanted to be a teacher. “I have always had a deep love of learning and a passion for sharing what I learn with others,” he said. “But for a while I was unsure of exactly how I wanted to pursue that passion.”

He considered a variety of career options, taking four years off between high school and college because he was uncertain of what he wanted to do. Even when he finally decided to go to college, he had no particular career aspirations in mind. He just wanted to learn.

He did know that he wanted to go to Bethlehem College and Seminary though. “I was compelled by the educational and theological vision of the school,” he said.

During his college years, he found himself drawn to helping other students.

“Slowly the conviction grew in me that I wanted to teach in some capacity. However, I don’t think I decided that I wanted to teach English to high schoolers until I decided to take the job here!” he recounts.

“In many ways it was quite a surprise. But I think it will be an ideal place to let my passion for learning and sharing knowledge flourish.”

While in college, CJ tutored a fellow student in classical Hebrew. He enjoys helping others learn a difficult concept, or find the answer to a difficult question without giving the answer away.

“It delights me when, finally, a student alights upon an answer. The “aha!” moment, the glow that lights up in their eyes – that’s what makes teaching worthwhile,” he said.

CJ was born in Florida and raised in Georgia. He came to Minnesota in 2017 when he moved here for school. There he met his wife, Jacqueline, who is a Twin Cities native.

Their son, William, will be two in October. They are making their home here in Edgerton.

In his spare time, CJ enjoys reading, often multiple books at a time, with the subject matter varying from theology to history, from ethics to literature. He also enjoys playing guitar and cavorting with his energetic toddler.