2005 Outstanding Rural Secondary School Teacher
Jill Lenz
Being the spouse of a district-level administrator, the teaching career of Jill Lenz has evolved as her husband has accepted positions in various locales. Now in her third year at Northwest High School in Hughesville, Missouri, Jill previously taught at South Harrison and at Bunceton. Regardless of where Mrs. Lenz has taught -- she continues to invest herself in the successful education of her students.
One of her co-workers shares that Jill is a conscientious instructor who displays a caring attitude with every student she encounters. She incorporates a variety of creative teaching styles into her lesson plans while motivating students in the field of mathematics. Jill sets high standards for herself as well as her students, and those standards are displayed in and out of the classroom.
Evidence of Mrs. Lenz's diligence is evidenced in the District's improved performance on Stanford Achievement tests. This improvement is the result of not only a well-managed classroom environment but also due to countless hours she spend after school providing individual and small group tutoring to students who have need for additional assistance.
Mrs. Lenz has been a pace-setter among school staff in utilizing on-line grade reporting which allows easy access for students and parents with internet connectivity. She actively initiates communication with parents. On a weekly basis she emails or calls all of her students' parents. Students' progress is charted daily on a website again available to students and parents from home.
In addition to the challenges of teaching students located in her own classroom, Jill has instructed through instructional Television classrooms in all three of the districts in which she has taught. This year, she offers a dual-credit upper level mathematics course in cooperation with Central Methodist College in Fayette.
Jill is described as extremely thorough and organized, and her optimistic attitude is an asset to all of the staff. Her willingness to go above and beyond her call has included class sponsorships, academic sponsorships, the implementation of a Junior High National Honor Society, and maintaining the school's web page for the district.
Indeed, Mrs. Jill Lenz's dedication and love of teaching makes her an outstanding teacher and leader as we offer congratulations as the Missouri Outstanding Rural Secondary Teacher for 2005.