Category Archives: Teachers in the Spotlight

Sep 13 2012

Students Benefit from Teachers Using Technology

The beginning of a new school year is marked not only with falling temperatures and dropping leaves, but with pencils and notebooks, folders and locker combinations. This fall our school year is marked by all of those things — and the welcome presence of new technology thanks to the passage of our last bond proposal.

District Director of Information Technology, Dave Tchozewski, is pleased to report that Jenison has purchased 300 new iPads, 334 new iMacs, 440 MacBook Pros, and 300 Apple TVs for use in classrooms districtwide. Powering these new devices was a task in itself, as JPS buildings (until recently) did not have wireless technology or wi-fi available to students and teachers.

“Our data center was rebuilt and updated this summer allowing for faster and more reliable network access throughout the district,” Dave said. “Included in the update was more reliable backup power supply, appropriate climate control, and the addition of several user friendly racks for easier access to our networking equipment. The JPS Technology Team has gone above and beyond this summer to ensure that technology would be updated and ready to go early in our school year.”

Our team of six technology professionals worked tirelessly over the summer to distribute the new computers and iPads, train teachers, ensure that all systems were in place for functionality and ease of use, move, re-wire, and re-design scores of labs, and work on the new mobile labs termed C.O.W.S.:  Computers On Wheel(S).

The “C.O.W.S.” are a welcome innovation by staff members seeking to more fully integrate technology into their classrooms. With 12 total throughout the district, teachers are better able to access the computers and technology needed to teach 21st century skills.

Jenison High School Principal Brandon Graham said the benefit of using “COWS” is that technology becomes mobile. “We have the ability to make every classroom a computer lab by simply wheeling a cart of computers into the room and letting teachers work on projects there. It’s a wonderful tool that we’re excited to have on hand.”

 

Of course while new tools are necessary and helpful, the teacher-student relationship is still paramount in reaching and motivating kids, as was obvious this day (see photo at right) in Ms.Wendy Hunt’s classroom at Jenison Junior High. Connecting with kids remains the focus in all of our schools, and doing so with compassion and care is paramount. We make it our goal to model excellence and demonstrate a love of learning that is flexible and accommodating. We strive to grow with and expand to meet the demands of our world. And in 2012, understanding, teaching, and integrating technology must be part of what happens in our classrooms.

 

Thank you to our community and to our Information Technology staff for making it possible for us to connect with kids in this way!
Aug 16 2012

Welcome to the Family!

This summer has witnessed a flurry of excitement surrounding the addition of several new faces to the JPS staff. Necessary in large part to fill the newly state-mandated all-day kindergarten classes as well as provide for new Spanish requirements, these teachers are ready to dive in with high expectations and goals fixed on student success. Several special education teachers and our new Jenison High School athletic director, Todd Kolster, round out the group pictured below on Orientation Day.

While we won’t spend time here going in depth with all nineteen of them, we’d like to introduce you to a handful of these extraordinary individuals who will begin shaping lives in our classrooms over the weeks and months to come.

[ Pictured from left to right above: Blake Smolen, Jenna Wiley, Dennis Kaboos, Tara Eparvier, Katelyn Kielezewski, Brittany Douglas, Rachel Eriks, Tami Scholma, Shanna Richey, Lindsay Smith, Ashlee Stansbury, Becky Chicklon, Angela Trace, Todd Kolster, Alison Bydalek, Brandon Bosch, April Windemuller, Travis Sands, Kendra Krestan. ]

1. Lindsey Smith is a graduate from Grand Valley State University with a Major in Psychology-Special Education and a Minor in Elementary Education; she also holds an endorsement in teaching students with emotional impairments. Lindsey will be teaching 1st grade at Pinewood this fall and is “very excited to meet my students and get to know their personalities and start building relationships.”

A little known fact about Lindsey is that she grew up on a dairy farm and loves anything related to Holstein cows! She and her husband will be celebrating their one year anniversary this month and have a cat named Neko. Be sure to stop in and welcome Lindsey next time you’re at Pinewood!

2. Blake Smolen is another Grand Valley Laker-turned-Wildcat! Blake has a degree in Special Education and is endorsed to teach both emotionally and cognitively impaired students. He also provides some flexibility in that he is additionally certified to instruct grades K-5. Blake comes to us from Grand Rapids Catholic Central where he spent 2011-2012 as their resource room teacher. This background makes him a great fit as the Intervention specialist at our Early Childhood Center.

Mr. Smolen is ”looking forward to getting into the classroom and making a difference in my students’ academic lives!” Though he is too humble to trumpet his accomplishments on the field, a little known fact about Blake is that he played football at GVSU (and did so with excellence!). Please say hello to him if you find yourself at the ECC this fall!

3. Alison Bydalek is a GVSU graduate who spent 6 years teaching in both a cognitively impaired classroom and 3rd grade classroom in Kenowa Hills Public Schools.  She has a Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities and returns to the classroom after spending several years at home raising her four children.

Alison is” looking forward to establishing relationships with students and staff…and embraces this opportunity for making a positive impact as well as fostering a love for learning with the students I will work with.”  Mrs. Bydalek has been married for 14 years enjoys swimming, skiing, traveling and many outdoor activities with her family.  She is proud to be both a parent and teacher in our district. A warm welcome to you, Alison!

4. Shanna Richey earned her BA from Bethel College and comes to us from Shelby County Schools where she taught 3rd grade and 4th grade. She is most looking forward to “meeting my students and getting to know the people in the Jenison community” when she joins us as a 1st grade teacher at Pinewood Elementary.

A little known fact about Shanna is that she was the National Champion in college golf! (feel free to contact her for your next scramble!) She and her husband Troy will celebrate their first wedding anniversary this October. Please introduce yourself to Shanna and welcome her to Pinewood.

5. Angela Tracy is a proud graduate of Hope College and Western Michigan University and is re-joining our family after having worked at JPS from 1995-2001, and then briefly leaving to serve as a Minister of Children and Families at Fellowship Reformed Church from 2008-2012. Angela joins us as another Intervention Specialist at Bauerwood Elementary.

Angela shares, “I can’t wait to get back in the schools and start teaching and collaborating with faculty, staff, children and parents to help every child reach his and her fullest potential!  I am extremely grateful to be part of a district and building that is committed to each other and their community.”
A little known fact about Mrs. Tracy is that she lived in Germany for a year with her family when she was 10. She currently lives in Holland with her husband and three children, ages 6, 9 and 10. We’re so glad to welcome you back, Angela!
Jul 26 2012

Jenison’s 6th Grade ACT Students Say “Goodbye”

It was a warm spring day when Jenison’s sixth grade ACT students filed into Karen Weaver’s classroom for the final time. The mood was thankful. Innocent.

Next year they’ll find themselves moving from room to room in a much larger school, but deep down they’ll always be knit together. They’ll always be family. That’s because this handful of students has been learning and growing together since they began their third grade year.

This past year was a special one for ACT and for the community they touched. Working together, the classes began a Kindness Project. They brainstormed ways to show compassion to individuals who needed an extra smile or a helping hand, and then they encouraged the recipient to “pass it on.”

What began with collecting phone books for Habitat for Humanity slowly expanded to include gathering canned goods, preparing meals for elderly neighbors, and planting money in geocaching locations, to name a few. With students directing 90% of the projects, Mrs. Weaver guided and reminded them that “…kindness is the right thing to do!”

Students involved in the ACT program have shown gifts in the areas of academic studies, leadership, creativity, and motivation. Once admitted, they spend one morning or one afternoon a week with Mrs. Weaver in a small setting which focuses heavily on mathematics, logical thinking, creative problem solving, and project-based learning. They also compete in the Continental National Math Competition regularly, and this year’s 4th grade was recognized as having the highest score in the midwest!

But more than the accomplishments or projects,  the one resounding message shared by these kids was that they’ll miss this place of safety and inclusion. One student shared, “It’s very comfortable to be in here — it’s always fun to learn something new.”

Another admitted, “I can be myself. I don’t have to worry about fitting in. People accept me here.”

After years of operating like pseudo brothers and sisters, these kids now feel the sting that comes with change.  And what they’ll miss most is the teacher who helped the pieces fit together a little bit tighter; who sat close by while they wrestled through a challenge or brainstormed a different solution to an old problem.

They’ll miss the teacher who delivered an extra slice of sunshine every week to kids who couldn’t wait to bask in the light.

“I can’t remember school without ACT. It’s going to be really sad to leave. You just feel warm and happy being in here … and so much is because of Mrs. Weaver.”

Jul 19 2012

JHS Teachers Honored at Jostens’ Annual Leadership Conference

You may not know that Jostens, a company probably best known for class rings and yearbooks, is also an active and passionate participant in the efforts of schools working to better connect and affirm students as they journey through their high school education.

You also may not know that Jenison High School is a Jostens “Renaissance” School, meaning teachers are taking the challenge to step out of boxes and move beyond walls to recognize, encourage, and support kids.

And our teachers are doing it well.

So well, in fact, that this year two them, Mrs. Tracy Mossburger and Mrs. Julie Roby, won the coveted and nationally awarded  “Rockstar” Award from Jostens to highlight their strides they’ve taken to build leaders and applaud students who are doing the right thing every day. The award is a nod to two women who work tirelessly to promote inclusion and put kids in the spotlight. Part of the award included a trip to this year’s conference in Orlando with members of the JHS student congress as well as other school leaders.

*All photos this week courtesy of Mrs. Roby and Mrs. Mossburger

Jostens challenges teachers, principals, and other school leaders to consider this question:

“Who receives the most recognition in your schools? Your top athletes? Your top scholars? Students with recurring discipline problems? The answer is probably yes. But what about everyone else? Think about the students who walk through the halls every day, unrecognized, practically anonymous. How would their lives change and how would your school change if they were given a chance to be in the spotlight?” (quote taken from Jostens’ website)

Members of JHS’ student congress had the opportunity to learn about leadership and recognition while at the Jostens conference.

One of the ways Mrs. Mossburger and Mrs. Roby answered that question was by awarding a “Best Seat in the House” during home basketball games. Students earned the right to sit on huge overstuffed chairs positioned on special platforms rather than on gym bleachers; they were definitely in the spotlight! They also awarded premier parking spots and helped to recognize students in other ways throughout the year.

Mrs. Mossburger and Mrs. Roby note that the Renaissance program has made a notable impact in the atmosphere at school. Mrs. Mossburger shared,

“Since the conference last year, I have noticed higher student participation in events.  I have also felt as though there is a better attitude amongst the student body as a whole.  I also noticed that as students realized that there were more student focused improvement ideas happening they wanted to share thoughts and ideas.  Getting and keeping the kids connected through participation and positive attitude is a huge part of Jostens Renaissance.”

Mrs. Roby added that it’s not only the students who are benefitting — staff and faculty are catching the spark as well:

“We had great responses from support staff, secretaries and other support personnel as we included everyone in our “Staffulty” to be a part of Renaissance and recognition/events in the building.  We did not ask Staffulty for anything at the beginning on the year, but by the end of the year they were approaching us and helped with several events voluntarily.  The feeling of being a part of something big is contagious!”

Congratulations to these outstanding teachers and student advocates, and to the entire staff and administration at Jenison High School!