Jon Klement has taught high school science for over 18 years. Alongside his career as an educator, he is also a lifelong lover of stories—especially fantasy and science fiction—and the author of several novels in those genres. For years, he wanted to share not only his love of science with students, but also his passion for language, creativity, and expression.

In 2025, he got that opportunity.

When Jon was assigned English classes in addition to his science teaching schedule, he began looking for ways to engage students who often felt disconnected from traditional English Language Arts instruction. One idea stood out: rap—a form of storytelling rich in rhythm, structure, metaphor, and voice.

That idea became FYRE.

The FYRE curriculum uses rap as a vehicle for teaching reading, writing, analysis, and self-expression while maintaining academic rigor. From the beginning, Jon knew that for FYRE to be taken seriously, it had to meet real educational standards. Drawing on his years of experience teaching in Missouri, he built the curriculum in alignment with Missouri DESE standards.

Today, Jon continues to explore the world of rap alongside his students and a growing community of educators and supporters who share the FYRE vision—the Foundation for Young Rappers in Education—as he prepares for the upcoming FYRE Kickstarter.