Jason Downing

• Position: physics teacher  
• Degree: bachelor’s in geology
• Years at Caney Creek: 1
• Years Teaching: 1

How would other people describe your high-school self?

Short, I did not finish high school. I dropped out and got my GED. 

Was there a career you wanted to pursue OR pursued before teaching?

I wanted to work in the medical field as a physical therapist or occupational therapist. I couldn’t decide.

Tell us about how you got into teaching.

I had spent about 20 years working in the oil and gas industry as a geologist and I got laid off in 2020. I went independent and tried to work with my own business and things didn’t work out as well as I hoped. So I applied for my teaching certification. To my surprise, I was accepted to get my certification here in Texas. That’s how I got into teaching.

What do you do outside of school for fun? Why?

I spend a lot of time with baseball. My son is baseball player at Klein Oak. I have always loved the game.

When people get to know you, what are they most surprised to learn about you? 

I guess most people are surprised that I’m a geologist. I don’t know why, but usually that surprises people. 

What is your hidden talent? 

I surf, so I don’t know if I’d call that a hidden talent. I grew up my entire life in Corpus Christi and I was, basically, 10 minutes away from burying my feet in the sand. Here in Houston, when I tell people that I surf, they give me a look.

Tell us the story about what you are most proud of yourself for.

That would be the day that I got my degree, my geology degree. I’ve spent my entire life studying mostly astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology…stuff like that, Einstein, those types of things. I knew that at an early age that probably wasn’t very useful as a career. That’s one of the reasons why I ended up choosing geology. But the day I got my degree, I  just couldn’t wait for someone to ask me, “What do you do for a living?” “I’m a geologist.” Super proud of that.

Who is someone you are thankful for and why?

I’m thankful for my kids. A lot. I’ve got four of them. They’re all four completely different. I think the lessons and everything that I’ve gotten from them has taught me a lot to connect with my high school students.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

My advice would be to stay away from several people. There were a couple of friends that I would go back and stay away from.  

What do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope to be remembered as a person who likes to help his neighbor who’s willing to see when there’s a need not to have to wait for someone to ask for help.

What’s on your bucket list?

I’d like to visit the East Coast. I have not seen the East Coast. I have been all over the country as a geologist — climbing mountains, rock climbing, looking at all kinds of different formations across the western Central America. 

Favorites

• Food: Indian food from India or Pakistan, butter chicken 
• Restaurant: Pappasito’s
• Music: Punk rock 
• TV Show: “Lost”
• Movie: “50 First Dates” (2004)
• Teacher:  history professor Dr. Duke