Jeff Ashley lucked into teaching.

“Growing up, I swore I was never going to teach,” Ashley said.

Ashley, a political science professor, said both his parents were public school teachers, but he did not want to follow in their footsteps because he wanted to make money.

His mindset changed when he was doing his graduate assistantship at Northern Arizona University.

Ashley, who was born in Flagstaff, Az., and raised in Tucson, Az., said he taught in Michigan for a while, but did not like the environment and eventually came to Eastern.

He said unlike teaching, he was always interested in politics but did not think of making a career of it until he used a computer program to find what careers were compatible with his interests.

Brian McHale, a sophomore political science major, said he had Ashley in two classes and enjoys his laid back teaching style.

“You can question something, and he will show you a real life situation about whatever it was and the result,” McHale said.

McHale said Ashley opens class with a discussion about recent events, allowing them to relate material they are learning to current events.

A timely topic Ashley follows is the primary election.

He said a few months back he thought the Democrats could easily win the general election, but as the democratic primary drags on, Ashley is becoming uneasy.

“I’m still hopeful,” Ashley said.

He said he is not as confident in a “slam dunk” win by the Democrats because as the candidates criticize each other to gain the lead, they are leaving McCain away from criticism.

Ashley said he is glad to see the growing interest in the election, especially with a good turn out from college students.

McHale said he learned from Ashley that any government position can make a difference, no matter how small or unimportant the position may seem.

“He does a good job bringing things into perspective,” McHale said.

Ashley also makes sure his students remember the Dallas Cowboys.

On every multiple choice test, he puts a reference or two to the Cowboys.

Ashley said he has been a Cowboys fan since he was about six years old. He said it was a Thanksgiving Day game that sparked his interest in the Cowboys because he was rooting for the opposite team than his dad.

Ashley said he remembers the Cowboys winning at the end of the game with one miraculous pass to score the final touchdown, and he was excited for his team to win, even though he did not know who they were.

Even though most of his students have their favorite football team before meeting Ashley, his enthusiasm may have more affect on his two daughters.

“Both of my girls are going to be Dallas Cowboys fans,” Ashley said.

Sara Cuadrado can be reached at 581-7942 or at slcuadrado@eiu.edu.