Jason Derby (’18)
Biochemistry
Cuba City, Wisconsin
Jason Derby (鈥18) grew up in Cuba City, Wisconsin, and laughs that his Loras journey started before he even knew it. 鈥淚 took my first swimming lesson at Loras,鈥 he said. 鈥淕uess it was foreshadowing.鈥
When it came time to choose a college, Jason was torn between Loras and UW鈥揗adison. He didn鈥檛 decide until May 1 of senior year. 鈥淎t the time, I saw it as choosing between tons of opportunities at a big school or personal attention at a smaller one,鈥 he said. 鈥淟ooking back, Loras gave me both.鈥
Jason arrived undecided but found direction after taking MOI with Dr. Adam Moser. 鈥淗e encouraged me to try general chemistry, and that led me to biochemistry. He was one of the most influential people during my time there,鈥 Jason said. 鈥淚 ended up working as his SI for eight semesters. He cared deeply about teaching, and that stuck with me.鈥
Though he once considered the medical field, Jason discovered during college that education was the right fit after he began tutoring classmates and helping local high school students prepare for the ACT. That experience sparked his passion for teaching and mentoring. After graduation, he returned to Cuba City to teach math and coach girls鈥 basketball at Cuba City High School. Later, when a parent reached out for ACT help, those early experiences came full circle and led to the launch of Derby ACT Prep.
鈥淚f you told me in college that I鈥檇 ever work with the ACT again, I would鈥檝e called you crazy,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e come to really appreciate the reasoning behind the test. It鈥檚 rewarding to see a student improve and know the hard work paid off.鈥
One student even earned a perfect score, a milestone Jason calls 鈥渁n incredible moment, full of joy for the kid.鈥 He sees ACT prep as a mini scoreboard: 鈥淵ou can watch the number go up as a result of the time and effort you put in.鈥
Between running his business, teaching high school math, and coaching basketball, Jason sees a common thread. 鈥淎ll three roles are about helping kids succeed,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to watch their confidence grow.鈥
That sense of purpose was shaped during his time at Loras, and the connection remains strong. Jason credits mentors like Dr. Kate Cooper and Robbie Stran (鈥02) for helping him feel seen and supported.
鈥淭here鈥檚 something about Loras that sticks with you,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great training ground for figuring out who you are. Hard work doesn鈥檛 guarantee success, but it gives you a shot, and that鈥檚 what Loras gave me. Now, we get to be part of someone else鈥檚 Loras story. That鈥檚 a pretty special&苍产蝉辫;迟丑颈苍驳.鈥
Tune in to this month鈥檚 Duhawk Dozen podcast to hear how Jason turned curiosity and connection into a life of impact in the classroom, on the court, and beyond. Congrats, Jason!
