Jacob Tobolewski is a 2000 graduate of Girard High School, where he excelled in leadership, athletics, and academics. Jake was a four year letterman in football, co-captain as a senior, and recorded over 400 tackles in his career. As a senior, he was an All-County selection and the co-captain for the County Save an Eye team. He earned three varsity letters in basketball and was the 2000 County Defensive Player of the Year. Jake was a two year letterman in track, and upon graduation he held school records in the 300m hurdles, 400m relay, and 1600m relay. As a senior, Jake was the Student Council President, Class President, and Treasurer of National Honors Society, as well as graduating in the top 10% of his class.
Jake earned a B.S. in Biochemistry from Grove City College. He was a member of the football team, part of a published research team, and a member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society. After graduation Jake became a laboratory manager in the Pathology Department at the University of Pittsburgh, where he co-authored eleven scholarly journal articles.Â
In 2009 Jake began a career of service as a chemistry teacher in the Millcreek Township School District. He was an advisor for the McDowell Robotics team for five years and is currently the 9-12 STEM Coordinator for MTSD. He serves as a Google Coach, a member of the SWPBS positive behavior team, and has instructed many professional development trainings for his colleagues. Jake previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University, and is currently an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Penn State Behrend. Jake was a member of both the Erie County Football and Lacrosse Officials Associations for several years.
Jake is active in the religious community and serves as the Youth Director at Fairview Presbyterian Church. Through that role he has been able to introduce young people to the rewards of living a life of service, supporting many charitable causes including Emma's Footprints and Grady's Decision. Jake serves as a member of the Pastoral Nominating Committee for Fairview Presbyterian Church and delivers the Sunday sermon there several times a year. Also, he is a spiritual director for the Erie County Footsteps youth Christian retreat. Jake is a leader of the Belize Partnership between FPC, Gannon, and Kuxlin Ha Primary School in Belize, and looks forward to returning to Belize to continue their mission work this summer. He has served as a guest speaker at multiple venues locally and was a featured speaker at TEDx Erie 2017.
Most importantly, Jake is the husband to an incredibly supportive wife, Sara, and the father to three amazing young children. He spends much of his free time at his family's camp in Forest County, hunting and fishing with his extended family. Jake enjoys camping and traveling with his family and is devoted to experiencing creation. He feels that he is called to try and add value to everyone he encounters and hopes to continue to find ways to better serve others.
