Dave Jackson, a Plainfield East institution and beloved faculty member will be retiring following the end of the 2024-25 school year. Math and science division chair, biology teacher, football announcer, and so much more, what hasn’t he done?
Jackson has been a dedicated staff member at PEHS since its opening in 2008. Starting as a biology teacher and working up the ladder to later become the math and science division chair, it is no understatement to say that Jackson’s career at East has been expansive.
The limits seem to be endless for Mr. Jackson, as when a previous theater director asked him to build a set for PEHS’ growing theater department, he simply said: “sure.” The rest is history.
“Mr. Jackson and I have been working together on Tech Crew since Peter and the Starcatcher in 2016, which was our first production as a team” said Emily Tonon, PEHS art teacher and Jackson’s partner in tech directing. “That show featured a set that leaned toward the abstract, and despite my attempts to describe, sketch, and ease his concerns, it all came together surprisingly well.”
Jackson’s dependability and charismatic personality is the key to his success– and in turn the success of a production– as one of the technical theatre advisors.
“Although Mr. Jackson insists he isn’t creative, his set-building solutions have been nothing short of ingenious, like using spray foam to craft coral for The Little Mermaid, or wiring lights into a giant Ferris wheel. And of course, his sense of humor has provided endless laughter backstage over the years,” said Tonon.
Mr. Jackson’s knack for the creative and immense knowledge of construction has led to many beautiful and intricate sets, his innovative ideas are sure to be missed.
Speaking from firsthand experience, Mr. Jackson has changed the lives of so many students for the better. A positive example of reliability, positivity, and how to tackle a challenge head on, Jackson instilled accountability and a sense of community into every student that has been a part of technical theatre, regardless of how long.
Jackson’s presence at football games, roaming the hallways, and being seemingly everywhere except for his office will be sincerely mourned. Although his departure as a staff member will be felt universally, we at East wish him the best of luck as he moves forward into his hopefully restful retirement.
