Fourth-year student Jardon Quarterman is passionate about family.
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Quarterman moved to California to be with his wife, closing the gap in their long-distance relationship. He attended Santa Monica College and graduated with a degree in sports management three years ago and is now studying child development at Whittier College.
Off-campus, he helps coach various sports teams like basketball and football at Brentwood School in Los Angeles. Working at the school, as well as caring for a 9-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter with his wife, Britney, is how he decided to pursue teaching and attend Whittier.
“Once I knew I was starting a family, it was something that I really wanted to look into to get more knowledge of,” Quarterman, 35, said. “So child development was just the one thing I knew I wanted to jump into.”
Quarterman, who also volunteer coaches football at Westwood Recreation Center, is interested in more formally teaching physical education and other classes. He grew up playing all sorts of sports, but he is mainly attracted to football because of the team chemistry and physicality of it. Eventually, he saw he had a knack for coaching it as well.
“I think it'd be cool if one of these days I can work at a school where my children are and be able to help there too,” Quarterman said. “I think that'd be awesome.”
Quarterman said it can be difficult as a nontraditional student when it comes to balancing studies with family responsibilities and work. However, he’s motivated to form bonds and help other nontraditional students find their place. During the holidays, Quarterman has his eyes set on food drives and other community service.
“The school is an amazing school,” Quarterman said. “It's a great school to go to and I would recommend it for a lot of people.”
One thing that has made life at Whittier easier for Quarterman is the Whittier College Black Alumni Association. The group recently awarded Haley Hughes-Gill, Naia Watkins, Gabriel Collazo, and Quarterman each $1,000 scholarships.
“I was shocked because I didn't really know anything about this scholarship,” Quarterman said. “When I found out, I was excited and very, very appreciative.”
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