The school year is looking gneiss for the science department with the addition of Jeremy Loucks as a Physical Earth Science teacher this fall.
Loucks is a former geologist and consultant for geology firms. He knew he wanted to be a geologist ever since he was a small child. Growing up on a farm, one of Loucks’ passions was playing with rocks.
While Loucks might be a new teacher to Edina High School, education isn’t anything new to him. When Loucks was younger, he helped his friends with schoolwork when he could.
“I had a lot of friends growing up who were not good at school… I was a pretty good student and so I started developing the skill… to explain [the content] in ways they would understand,” Loucks said.
Loucks also continued his educational path in college and the workforce, serving as a teacher’s assistant for multiple classes as a graduate student studying geology at Michigan Technological University and working as a sub at various schools in between his jobs.
Out of all of Loucks’ past experiences, one thing stands out to science department lead and Forensics teacher Gavin McLean: his passion.
“[Loucks] is somebody that spends a life doing [Physical Earth Science],” McLean said. “[Teaching] is not a requirement. This is not a job: this is actually fun. Here’s somebody that might come and enjoy their day, as opposed to somebody that’s coming because they’re required to come.”
One of Loucks’ skills that he has gained through both substitute teaching and geology is his flexibility. McLean said this is especially useful for Loucks’ work as a science teacher in Options, an alternative learning program designed to give students a second chance at education.
Loucks’ dedicated work is not only seen by science teachers, but also students. Freshman Miranda Lee has had Loucks since the start of the school year for Physical Earth Science.
“I think he’s really doing his best,” Lee said.
This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on Nov. 6, 2025
