Jazmine Ike-Lopez – WSK8 7th/8th Grade Math Teacher
Question: What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated for the March Certified Team Spotlight?
Answer: “I was a little surprised. I didn’t think I was going to get the spotlight because I feel like there are so many teachers that deserve it. But for me, it was just like, it’s okay. It’s my first year I shouldn’t like think about that. So, it was just like a little bit of a shock that I got the spotlight.”
Question: How long have you worked for the district?
Answer: “This will be my first year at the district. this will be my first year I had a little bit of a teaching practicum last year during my master’s program, but other than that, this is my first year.”
Question: What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
Answer: “It’s the students. I really enjoy the type of humor they have. Just kind of like hearing their stories. They like to come and converse. So, they just like to tell you how your day is and it’s just really great to see students who like come up to you and just want to talk to you and are learning from you. So that’s, for me, that’s the really enjoying part is to laugh with them because they’re very funny.”
Question: Why did you want to become a teacher?
Answer: “Ever since I was little I used to play teacher and I always thought like, I’m never going to be a teacher. I’m going to go into business, but eventually I just kind of realized that everybody I’ve ever helped really always told me like, oh, you explained it so well. That kind of made me feel good that I could help them in that way. I would have peers in high school come to me and ask for help. I kind of feel like I started the teaching process when I was in high school by helping my friends and I just really loved it.”
Question: What do you like about teaching math at WSK8?
Answer: “Initially, I was going to teach social studies. That was my hopeful endorsement but when I got into my program, they told me that I also had enough credits for math. Then as I started going into math, I was like, oh, I actually really enjoyed this. I really understand the math. I feel like I could break it down pretty easy for students.”
Question: You grew up here and graduated from Madras High School, what is it like to be back?
Answer: I think these students are really great. I really, really enjoy working with them. I’ve had questions where they’re like, why did you choose to be our teacher? One of their first questions was like why did you choose to come here? Then I just said, why would I choose anywhere else? I’m from here. I know who you guys are and you guys are the best. I know you guys can succeed and that’s why I came back.”
Vinny Rodriguez – Madras High School Head Custodian
Question: What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated for the March Classified Team Spotlight?
Answer:“I think it’s an honor for somebody to nominate you for that spotlight. You know, as I said, I tried to be a hard worker, tried to do my job the best I can and to the best of my ability. The teachers are your customers and you’re here to provide a service.”
Question: How long have you worked for the district?
Answer: “It would be 17 years. When I first started, they sent me over to Warm Springs to the old school and I worked over there for five years. Then June 21, 2010, they moved me over here to MHS.”
Question: What made you start working in public education?
Answer: “Because at the time I thought it was a better opportunity, better pay, and better benefits. You always have to look to better yourself to improve.”
Question: What is your favorite part about being the head custodian?
Answer: “Coming to work every day and talking to the teachers, to the students. I think it has been pretty good, I mean, I give the teachers a lot of credit.”
Question: What does your day-to-day look like as the head custodian?
Answer: “Just like any other regular job you have to come in and see what’s in your emails and figure out what you need to do and go out and do the stuff that I have to be doing routinely in the mornings. You know, once all that is finished, I need to get ready for breakfast and then lunch. From there, once I finished my cafeteria, and then I work on what needs to be done and stuff that needs to be fixed.”
Question: What do you like about working for the Jefferson County School District?”
Answer: “I would like to give credit to my custodians because without my crew, I don’t think I could do it by myself. It is a lot of work and it is a physical job but somebody’s got to do it.”