Salute to Service - Jeremy Conner
Jeremy Conner has always had a heart for serving others.
A construction teacher and veteran educator at Community High School, Conner has served the students and parents of Brave Nation with his considerable skill set, preparing students for their future careers and life after high school. His students have excelled under his tutelage, earning real-world experience in drafting blueprints, working with architects and engineers, visiting job sites, and even designing and building portions of the concession stand at the CISD Baseball/Softball Complex.
Jeremy Conner (right) with his CTE Construction students at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Concession Stand at the CISD Baseball/Softball Complex - December 2023.
But Conner’s commitment to service extends far beyond the classroom.
Petty Officer First Class (E-6) Conner has served in the United States Military for close to a decade, both on active duty orders and in the reserves. Over and over again he has chosen to put the needs of others above his own, whether on active duty during the Global War on Terror, spending time in the Federal Law Enforcement School, or teaching in Community ISD and Rains ISD.
“Service has always been a calling for me,” Conner said. “I’m a protector by nature, and when the call came, I felt a deep sense of duty to go wherever I was needed.”
That call came again earlier this year.
While teaching dual credit courses for Community High School and Collin College, and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, Conner received Title 10 orders. Title 10 orders refer to a section of the United States Code (U.S.C.) that governs the role and structure of the U.S. Armed Forces under federal authority. When a service member is activated under Title 10, they are placed under the command and control of the President of the United States as the Commander-in-Chief. Title 10 orders apply to the following groups: Active Duty military members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force), and Reserve members and National Guard members when federally activated.
Knowing his mission wasn’t finished, he decided to re-enlist, and received new deployment orders shortly after. In this new mission, Conner will be returning to the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) Port Security Unit (PSU) and serving overseas for 10 months - stepping away from his job, his students, and his family - his son Cal, a junior baseball player at Community High School, and his daughter Evelyn, a Community graduate starting her freshman year in college.
Jeremy Conner (center left) with his family.
“Leaving my family for an extended period is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But their unwavering love and support have carried me. I am truly blessed,” Conner said. “It’s also difficult to step away from my work, the CTE and Collin College program we’ve built, the students I care so deeply about, and my Community Braves family.
This isn’t goodbye, it’s a temporary step away from what I love, and I plan to return as soon as my mission is complete. My hope is to be back in time to watch my seniors graduate, a milestone I wouldn’t want to miss.”
Throughout his time in the U.S. Coast Guard, Conner has earned multiple commendations and participated in significant operations and training. He completed the Maritime Federal Law Enforcement School, including the expeditionary and shoreside security operations courses. He served in Southern Strike 2023 with the Green Berets and Southern Strike 2024 with Air Force Security Forces. His honors include the Expert Rifle and Pistol medals, Good Conduct Medal, Commandant’s Commendation Award, Global War on Terror Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal, among others.
While he will be deeply missed over the coming months, Mr. Conner continues to embody the spirit of Brave Nation through his commitment to protecting and serving others. Community ISD is proud of his sacrifice and deeply grateful for his example. We invite the community to share your thoughts, prayers, and support through social media.
His return to active duty reminds us all that freedom is never free - and that choosing to serve others is one of life’s highest callings.
From all of us in Brave Nation: thank you, Mr. Conner, and thank you to your family for all you have given—and continue to give—for our students, our schools, and our country.