Jenny Miesen – Metolius Elementary Life Skills Teacher
Question: What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated for the November Certified Team Spotlight?
Answer: “I’m really humbled to be honored like this. I also, it just fills my heart because it shows how inclusive this school is, how important all of our kids are to all of the teachers here and everyone who works in this building.
Question: How long have you worked for the district?
Answer: “I worked for the district for two years from 2014 to 2016 and then came back in 2018 so its been, this is my 5th year. “
Question: What made you want to teach Life Skills?
Answer: “I have a little brother who is special needs and he was in life skills for his entire school career. I saw the amazing school teachers that made such a difference in his social life and his education. I just always grew up wanting to be able to make any kind of impact the way they did for my brother and for my family.”
Question: What is your favorite part about being a teacher?
Answer: “My absolute favorite part about life skills is watching my kids make meaningful connections with their peers and other people in their school. To have kids come in who aren’t sure how to communicate or get along, or they might not come in with as many friends as other kids and watching them build those connections and gain confidence and make friends and be included is why I do my job. “
Question: What do you like about working at Metolius Elementary?
Answer: “I love working at Metolius elementary because these teachers and all the students at this school are so inclusive. The teachers here welcome all the inclusion my students do in their rooms, they want to get to know them, they want them there.
Wes Woolworth – 509J Bus Mechanic
Question: What was your reaction when you found out you were nominated for the November Classified Team Spotlight?
Answer: “I’m pretty ecstatic about it, I’m surprised too. I appreciate it. I mean, I don’t know what to say.”
Question: How long have you been into auto mechanics?
Answer: “I started out when I moved over here to Central Oregon. I moved from the coast. I grew up in Portland but then moved over to the coast, and I came over here and got into mechanics part time, and did a little bit of schooling and now I’m here.
Question: How long have you been with the district?
Answer: “Since 2008, what is that, about 12-13 years.”
Question: What is it like being a school bus mechanic?
Answer: “The inspections are pretty detailed on what to do. You have to look at everything because of what they’re hauling. You’re hauling students around, even adults and you don’t want to have a mix up on it.”
Question: What is it like working on a school bus?
Answer: “On a school bus, there are a lot of electrical problems. You do get some little stuff on a bus but it is mainly electrical on them. It can take a day or it can take several days to get it repaired.”
Question: What do you like about working for the Jefferson County School District.”
Answer: “I enjoy the atmosphere, it is a little stressful. I like the people I work for and I like the people I work with.”