Jocelyn has been teaching for 9 years and her nominator, Jeff Scholz, who's a classroom volunteer says, she's the perfect choice for Educator of the Week! Her cheerful attitude and dedication to the successful education of her 2nd graders is inspiring. She deeply cares about the successful education of each of her students academically as well as socially. She is interested in the home-life and extracurricular influences of each of her students, many of which come from economically disadvantaged families. She personally grieves for some of her students who are in difficult home situations. As a volunteer in Jocelyn's class, I have seen how she treats each student with respect and garners respect in return. If that respect is not returned, she is firm and patient while correcting the student. If a student has said or done something to another student that is hurtful, she challenges the student immediately. She encourages the student to put them self in the other person's place. She is always encouraging the students to make good choices on their own and commends them when they do. Jocelyn keeps the class fun and challenging. It is easy to see that she loves her students and I know that the students sense this. I firmly believe that when her students reach adulthood they will look back on their grade school days and fondly remember Miss. Kluth as one of their best and favorite teachers. During the summer Jocelyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, and running half-marathons. She also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and has taken several trips overseas to build houses with them. Last year, she co-lead a team to El Salvador and this year she is planning to co-lead another house building trip.

Congratulations Jocelyn Kluth from K103!

 Listen to the Interview here

Robert Lippi has taught math at his alma-mater for 22 years.  His nominator is student, Brandon Kneebone.  Brandon and two other students had this to say about Mr. Lippi:

"I cannot begin to express my gratitude towards Robert Lippi, a math teacher at Milwaukie High School. He’s gained my respect and he certainly has become one of my favorites. Mr. Lippi takes care of each of his students. If somebody is struggling, he will stop the lesson and go over it individually. With the large class sizes, this is an amazing thing. He lives and breathes math, but he is also the school’s wrestling coach. He may come into class with an injured back but STILL gets up to teach us."

 Another student, Megan Dierenger, says that she, "likes that he is willing to answer any question to help us, especially if we don't understand. He also brings a welcome vibe. He tells us stories so it isn't math 24/7 and makes it interesting."

 Student, Maisie Sanchez says, "He lives and breathes math and his goal is to have us comprehend it. We probably won't love it as much as he does, but we need to understand it."

Congratulations Robert Lippi from K103!

 Listen to the Interview here

Nancy Hall's nominator is Emily McClanghry, a student in one of her classes.  This is what Emily has to say about Ms. Hall:

"In 5^th grade, for math, you switch classrooms based on your knowledge of the work and I get Ms. Hall sometimes.  She really gets deep into the work and understands what kids need to learn.  After being in her class, I knew so much more than before I was in her class.  If students don’t understand the information she’s teaching, we’ll do various things, like playing games, until everyone understands.  For almost every bit of information she teaches, she has a story and the story helps us understand the work.  Instead of doing all of the work on the chalk board while we watch, she teaches us the lesson and then we complete the work page and after that, she picks one student per problem and they all go up to the board and show the work.  While the other kids are up at the board, if anyone doesn’t fully understand the work, Ms. Hall will help them individually.  Before we start a lesson, Ms. Hall will let a few students share their knowledge on the subject she is teaching to help other students get more information on the subject.  She has a neat way for us to tell her we’re done with our work.  We stand up when we’re finished and when everyone stands up, we go over the work together.  Ms. Hall is one of the nicest  teachers I’ve had."

Congratulations Nancy Hall from K103!

Listen to the Interview here

After 31 years of teaching German, 28 years at Parkrose High School, John Schumacher will be retiring at the end of this school year.  His nominator is one of his students, Melanie Stitch.  This is her letter, nominating her beloved teacher, Mr. Schumacher:

"I am a junior at Parkrose High School and I would like to nominate my German teacher for educator of the week! John Schumacher (most commonly know as Herr Schu)is our only German teacher. He goes way beyond the expectations of a teacher. He puts on an Oktoberfest in our wrestling room, takes the class out to the Rhinelander for dinner, and even takes a group of students to Germany almost every summer. He teaches us traditions that Germans do and what their lifestyle is like, in a fun learning environment. He plays a game call “Snitchelbank” to help us learn how to count. Every time 7 or a multiple of 7 you have to say “snitchelbank”. He makes the class enjoyable for everyone. We have even called his cousin on their birthday, during class, and sang happy birthday to them in German. My sister had him for all four years of high school and I have had him for three. Sadly, my younger brother will only get him for one year because he is retiring. Even though he is retiring, he’s taking one last group of students to Germany in 2013. He really does go above and beyond what an ordinary teacher would do."

Congratulations John Schumacher from K103!

Listen to the Interview here