Jake Fuller: Caring And Kindness Helps Make Learning Fun

Jake Fuller grew up in Cottonwood, CA, the son of two educators, Scott and Patty Fuller. Despite the potentially hazardous experience of being his father’s student in seventh grade, Jake found himself drawn toward his parents’ career path. “We would run into my dad’s students around town,” he recalls. “Seeing his impact in their lives made me want to do the same.”

In 2007, Jake accepted a track and field scholarship at University of California, Davis. The scholarship meant his favorite sports — javelin, hammer throwing, shot put, and discus — actually helped him pay for a degree in his favorite subject: wildlife biology.

Jake went on to earn his teaching credential at Simpson University in Redding, CA, and began teaching seventh grade while earning his master’s degree in education and his administration credential. In 2018, drawn by the hands-on education model, he stepped into the director position at Lassen Antelope Volcanic Academy (LAVA) Charter School in Red Bluff. Since Jake’s arrival, LAVA has doubled in size, currently serving 101 students in grades 5-8.

Getting to know each student and helping them feel known

Even as the school grows, Jake takes time to get to know each student, helping them feel known and cared for. “I’ve had students come talk to me and unload all their drama, and then say, ‘You’re the first principal who has talked with me,’” he says.

Jake’s approach to education brought his friend Travis Hunt to teach at LAVA in 2021.Travis met Jake as a fellow teacher eight years ago, and has admired Jake’s genuine care for people ever since. He attributes two of LAVA’s key educational techniques to Jake’s leadership. First, the school builds academic learning on the foundation of healthy mentorship relationships between teachers and students. Second, the school promotes lifelong learning through project-based learning and outdoor education opportunities — particularly with Lassen National Park.

Fostering a partnership with Lassen National Park

As a wildlife enthusiast, Jake loves fostering the partnership between LAVA school and Lassen. Students take between 16 and 25 field trips a year, including spending most Fridays in the spring and fall in the national park. From identifying flora and fauna along the trail, to helping fire prevention rangers change fire extinguishers, these field trips give students an expanded approach to education.

“It’s all about keeping the kids interested and engaged,” Jake says. Travis agrees: “It shows kids education doesn’t just exist within four walls. Every time we’re out, the kids are building a skillset to become lifelong learners in every aspect in life.”

Jake frequently finds valuable interactive learning opportunities, such as a recent anti-drug event that allowed students to decorate their own skateboards to take home. Perhaps this educational creativity comes from spending more than 20 summers at the YMCA’s Camp McCumber, first as a camper, then as a counselor, then as a board member and co-director. Nobody could spend so much time at camp without picking up a trick or two!

Bringing out the fun in learning

Jake’s ability to bring out the fun side of learning inspired another friend, Erik Johnson, to enter education. “I went and observed his classroom a couple times, and that was one of the main reasons I became a teacher,” Erik says. “He made it fun for the kids while giving them a good-quality education.”

Erik also credits Jake with prompting him to begin the administrator credential program: “We’ve talked about how as a high school teacher you can reach about 120 kids in your classroom, but as an admin you can reach the whole school with policies and professional development for teachers. We’re trying to be more positive change for more people.”

When not working wonders at LAVA, Jake spends time with his wife, Ashley, whom he met as a fellow discus and hand-throwing competitor at UC Davis, and who now teaches high school biology. The couple has a two-year-old daughter, June, and a five-year-old son, Axel. Jake loves watching Axel play soccer and run the preschool version of cross-country.

“Jake is genuine in all the capacities of his life,” Travis says. “If you were to follow Jake around for a week and witness his everyday life, you’d see he is a genuine, caring person as an educator, friend, husband and parent.”

This authenticity comes from a simple observation that works inside and outside of the classroom: “Remember how easy it is to be kind,” Jake says. “I see so many students who are so involved in the drama and looking for the bad in situations. Just remember how easy it is to be kind and smile.”