Each week, members of the STEM Staff recognize their fellow teammates for the elements from the Formula for Character that they were exhibiting. Check out this week’s teachers that were honored.
Jon Jennings
Empathy
Last week I was feeling particularly overwhelmed – new to teaching, lesson planning, grading, juggling my own homework assignments, etc. I reached out to ask Jon a question about PDs (and if he had any advice about how to do that as well as everything else). Within the hour, Jon arrived in my classroom. Now, it wasn’t my planning period – I had a full room of students and was just finishing up explaining the day’s plan – but despite this Jon didn’t leave. He instead came inside and took a seat and waited until I finished (even answered a question about standard-based learning one of the students asked and I felt unsure of my own understanding). When the students began working on their assignments, he plopped right down next to my desk and patiently walk me through PD modules, offered some sage advice, answered my millionth question, and made sure I was feeling better before exiting.
The following day after school, Jon popped by again to make sure I was feeling better. He gave me more reassurance that he’d been there and knew the roller coaster of emotions quite well and stayed for another half hour to answer even more questions.
In short, Jon’s thoughtfulness, patience, and understanding gave me the confidence I needed at a time I didn’t think I could take one more new thing added to my plate. His kindness and honesty were refreshing, but more importantly, his compassion was just the medicine I needed at the time.
Thanks, Jon!
McKenna Gimbel
Empathy
McKenna has worked so hard to keep our class fish tank clean. We had algae problems that took FOREVER to get under control. Mrs. Gimbel has it SHINING NOW and the class and our fish are so happy!
Rhett Butler
Responsibility
Being resilient and flexible in the first two months of his first year of teaching.