Jarvis Wheeler is determined to ensure his Pine Hills students succeed.

  • Teacher Jarvis Wheeler runs The Hub
  • The Hub is a mentoring and social services program at Evans High
  • Wheeler graduated from Evans and returned to give back

He runs The Hub, a program of social services, mentoring and overseeing activities for students at Evans High School.

“I wanted to come back and make that difference and be that person that that student can say, ‘You know what, Mr. Wheeler helped me; he supported me,’” said Wheeler, a News 13 Everyday Hero.

“We’re doing things here at Evans in Pine Hills that no other school, no other community, is doing,” he said. “Now that the students have it here in their backyard, it definitely helps out not only with education but accessibility.”

Wheeler went to the school himself, admitting at the time that the school “wasn’t the most positive place to be.” He attended Florida State University, then onto graduate school, majoring in social work and public administration.

“I knew I probably couldn’t do much with my generation, but I could come back home and help out the next generation,” he said.

The 28-year-old dad then returned to Evans to do his part.

“I came back home,” Wheeler said. “I knew I wanted to come back home, work with youth. I love high school because you can be a little more transparent and help them with real-world issues.”

In May, Wheeler watched a group of all-male students graduate, who he’d been assisting since ninth grade. Each was accepted into a four-year college or university.

“It’s all about helping our borderline students be more prepared for college,” Wheeler said. “When you’re about helping people, the names may change but the mission never changes.”

The Hub Director’s enthusiasm and focus has rubbed off on his colleagues as well.

“Just being in his presence is very electrifying, very energizing,” said Curtesa Vanderpool, the Hub’s assistant director. “He just makes you want to be a better person.”

“When you’re a kid, you don’t really focus on seeing your surroundings like that. I think my mother really kept me structured and had my priorities in place,” Wheeler said. “Knowing that I come here every single day to be a service for our students, it’s what gets me up.”