“Come into my office,” says St. John’s kindergarten teacher Jake Minton. Despite his long legs, he nimbly climbs up a small ladder on the early childhood jungle gym and proceeds to soothe hurt feelings between two of his students.

Recess disagreements happen; however – same playground, different day – St. John’s kindergartners started spontaneously chanting "NO WAR!" as part of a lively discussion about how tag should be played. Minton says, “These kids are going to save the world over and over again.”

As many St. John’s Episcopal School teachers, Minton took a circuitous route to teaching. This adored kindergarten teacher grew up in Lake Highlands, attended Hexter Elementary, Polk Vanguard Academy and Spence Academy for middle school, and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater from SMU and has a teaching certificate in early childhood education from Ashworth College.

After college, Minton moved to Chicago where he worked as a professional, award-winning, playwright and actor with The House Theater, a company he founded with college friends. When the theater began offering camps and classes for various ages, Minton found that he really enjoyed the teaching aspect. After pursuing a teaching certificate, he taught preschool at the innovative Hoyne Street Playgroup, where learning is play-based and parents direct the curriculum.

After Jake married wife Sarah, also a native Dallasite, and their first child was born, the Mintons moved back to East Dallas to be close to their families. Sarah is a third grade teacher at St. John’s. Their older daughter is a student in the child development center on campus, where she will be joined by her baby sister in the fall.

Anyone who has observed Minton interacting with his students can see that he has found his calling. When asked about their teacher, an enthusiastic student exclaimed, “We love him!” Another said, “He makes learning fun.”

Driven by his observations of children, Minton allows his students to choose their “learning position.” Some prefer to sit at a desk, however others choose to prop up on some pillows to practice reading or sprawl out on their belly to work on an interactive project on an iPad. According to Minton, St. John's empowers teachers to meet each student where he is, and provides opportunities for exploration and discovery: “St. John's is ambitiously raising up generations of kids to be loving, kind and generous, and also incredibly innovative, imaginative and creative adults.”

Minton admires that children this age have a “real sense of wonder about the world around them.” One of the ways teachers take advantage of this is through project-based learning (PBL). Simply put, PBL is “learning by doing,” teaching the students to be problem solvers and to get excited about the process. Not only do students learn the facts, they acquire a love for learning.

“In kindergarten, the students bring the opportunities to you. To them, the world looks new and they are excited about learning.” And how does a project evolve? Minton says, “They need someone who will give them permission to pursue their interests. I try to say, ‘Yes. Make a mess. How can I help?’ And then I let them go where they go.” But an unexpected project doesn’t derail learning; teachers incorporate the curriculum into the project.

After studying sculptures and mixed-media art during a recent field trip to the Arts District, Minton’s class was inspired to create an installation of their own. What became known as the “kindergarten art project” eventually took over the hallway with colorful mobiles hanging from the ceiling. As each child added an element, the installation became a little more creative and involved.

When asked about lessons learned from his students, Jake responds, “My students teach me how to be brave. They are pushed to learn new and challenging things each day, while navigating their way through social interactions and negotiations with their peers. They accept criticism; they accept failure and they accept responsibility for their mistakes. It’s daunting when you think about it.” He adds, “Yet they continue on with a joyful heart and a love of learning and growing. That's how we should all live.”

If you are interested in learning more about St. John’s, there’s no need to wait. The school will host a family open house on June 17. There are kindergarten spaces available for the 2015-16 school year, and select spaces in other grades, too. And Minton will be extending his influence this summer by leading four week-long summer camps for students ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade including “Mystery Detectives” and “Fiction Writers’ Workshop.” Details can be found on the school website: stjohnsschool.org.