Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 7:45 - 3:15 p.m. This unique opportunity is a shadow day for students in grades 2-8 with an open house for parents. Experience the Casady School di erence during an interactive preview of Casady’s Lower and Middle Divisions. To register call (405) 749-3200 or email admission@casady.org
JENA NELSON WAS SHOCKED WHEN OKLAHOMA STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION JOY HOFMEISTER ANNOUNCED HER AS THE STATE’S 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
them get scholarships or jobs and then transitioning to middle school I realized I could focus on career readiness there, too. Right now my students are researching careers they might be interested in, putting together infographics and getting ready to make presentations to the class. Every student leaves my class with a starter resume, they can write professional emails and business letters and they learn how to interview. I work hard to instill work ethic, empathy and real- world applications so they leave feeling successful. My platform is a combination of career readiness and trauma-informed care. But if I can do one thing this year, it will be a revolution of morale. Our state is facing a lot of issues, but we know what the problems are and it’s time to get past that to work on solutions and not pass the buck to someone else. Everyone has to take ownership; it can’t just be teachers, it’s got to be all of us coming together. I truly believe together we can make Oklahoma’s public education a top 10 in the nation. What are you most focused on during your stint as Oklahoma’s teacher of the year? What’s the single most important thing parents can do to support teachers? Call your legislators and tell them how amazing your teachers are. Our legislators want to invest in a business they feel is succeeding. We hear so many negative stories, but if you want them to support public education take the time to send
a quick email, make a call or write that Facebook post to tell them how great things are. Tell your story of how public education saved your life or how your kids have benefitted. And in the classroom if parents can spend just a little time reading to students, helping with testing or making copies, it makes the world of difference to teachers to feel that support. How has being a mom impacted who you are as a teacher? Especially when my son was born, I had to learn to be a lot more patient. And that’s been patience across the board, not just with behavior but with how my students learn and grow and their grades. Not all kids just wake up making straight A’s; some have to work really hard and will struggle and make mistakes. But they all know I still love them. When you’re not teaching, what do you love to do? Gardening is a big passion of mine, and I love canning and making jams and jellies. We raise chickens — I’m really a farm girl at heart. I grew up in a wooded area with all kinds of animals I was responsible for and a one-acre garden. I love being connected to nature.
9500 North Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 www.casady.org
Casady School is a PreK-12, independent, college preparatory Episcopal day school committed to deeper-level learning. Casady School seeks a student body that reflects the diversity of the world around us and therefore welcomes students without regard to race,
How does your family enjoy spending time together?
We love traveling and being outside. We really love to eat! We go back to Louisiana quite a bit to see friends and we love Cajun food. We try to eat as much as we can while we’re there!
color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnic origin.
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