An Interview with Jeremy Hyler

In this interview, get to know Jeremy Hyler, who serves as Collaborative Classroom’s Managers of Educational Partnerships in Michigan.

As a mission-driven nonprofit organization, Collaborative Classroom is committed to impact, bringing our research-based curricula and professional learning to as many educators and students as possible. 

Our Managers of Educational Partnerships play a vital role in growing our impact, working in service of teaching and learning for school, district, and community partners nationwide.  

Managers of Educational Partnerships bring a wealth of expertise and wide-ranging experiences to their work. Educators themselves, they have served as classroom teachers, interventionists, literacy coaches, principals, and district leaders. Many have taught at the college level, presented at state and national conferences, and authored professional books. All of them share a deep commitment to serving educators and students.

Tell us a little about your background as an educator. What did you do before you joined Collaborative Classroom?

For 20 years, I was a middle school English and science teacher (grades 6–8) in a small, rural district in Central Michigan. I also taught fourth grade for a year. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Middle Level Education. On average, my classroom consisted of 20–25 students. I have also coached both boys and girls basketball at multiple levels. 

Over the course of the last 14 years, I have been working as a teacher consultant with the Chippewa River Writing Project, a satellite site of the National Writing Project, where I have had the privilege of working with teachers across the state and country. 

In addition to teaching and my role with the Writing Project, I have co-authored three books and contributed chapters to many others. Through my authorship and work with the Writing Project, I was afforded many opportunities to present my work at the state and national level. I even had the chance to present at the international level. 

How did you find out about Collaborative Classroom and the Manager of Educational Partnerships role?

One of my Writing Project colleagues had talked about Collaborative Classroom on a few different occasions. I knew the organization existed and what their mission entailed. As the pandemic was winding down, a colleague told me about the Manager of Educational Partnerships opportunity. I did some additional research and decided to apply. Three years later, I am enjoying my role and love the work I do and the fact I get to impact so many more students every day.  

Collaborative Classroom is a mission-driven nonprofit. What about our mission drew you to the organization? What’s your “why” for joining Collaborative Classroom?

Besides the fact that the mission statement talks about students becoming readers and writers, I love that the mission includes students being pushed to become critical thinkers. In addition, I was drawn to the fact that Collaborative Classroom is trying to develop caring and respectful individuals, which is something that is needed in this society. 

What’s your favorite part of your role as a Manager of Educational Partnerships?

There are so many parts about my role that I absolutely love. If I had to choose just one, it is the conversations I get to have with educators. 

There is so much wonderful diversity that exists in every school and district and I am given the opportunity to visit those schools, see the students, and talk with the teachers. Teachers have so much on their plate and they need true partnerships so they feel supported with the curriculum they are using. 

What are some other projects or passions in your career? 

Writing is definitely a huge passion of mine. It is a great outlet for me and I love sharing my ideas with other educators. As I mentioned earlier, I have co-authored three books and it has been such a pleasure and honor to write with my colleagues. It has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Collaborative Classroom has also given me the chance to write and get my thinking out into the world. 

In your role, you get to spend time in lots of different classrooms. What is something exciting or inspiring that you’re seeing out there in schools right now?

One of the most inspiring things I see is how hard teachers are working. Despite any roadblocks that are in the way, they always seem to make the most of their situation and do what is best for their students. They continue to inspire me every time I have the chance to visit a classroom.

One final question: Reflecting on your own lived experiences as a teacher or as a student, what was one experience that was particularly memorable or impactful for you?

As a middle school teacher for over twenty years, I was always blown away by the simple fact that there are a lot of students out there who just need someone to listen to and care about them. I always made time for my students to just listen and be empathetic towards them. They need to feel safe and feel like they matter. When they do, they will run through a brick wall for you. It always amazed me that all I had to do was listen, not be entertaining.  

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Visit our Field Team page to meet our other Managers of Educational Partnerships.