Students need support and guidance in order to succeed – and teachers, of course, offer these things in great supply in classrooms worldwide.
But teachers need these things as well, and that’s where Jennifer Green steps in.
At R.K. Smith Middle School, Green is the lead teacher, a role that sees her work closely with the school’s new incoming teachers to ensure each has all he or she needs to guide and educate students at a high level.
Whether the teachers are simply new to the school or entering their first year as teachers as a whole, Green is there to support them.
“Professional development, classroom management, instructional strategies, day-to-day questions … sometimes, it’s just being a listening ear and helping them find ways to best meet their students’ needs,” Green said. “Our district provides incredible onboarding and training for new teachers, and I support that throughout the year as somebody in the building that they can always call on for support.”
Green began teaching at R.K. Smith in 2017 as a special education teacher before then teaching sixth grade science. Prior to that, she worked for New Life Community Church in Luling for several years as their ministries coordinator, where she was actively involved in community outreach and children’s and youth ministries.
She and her husband have two children who have been educated in St. Charles Parish since kindergarten and Green said seeing the impact teachers have had on their lives inspires her in her own journey.
Green also credits Diondra Reynaud, who fulfilled the lead teacher role at R.K. Smith when Green arrived at the school, with being a great help to her.
“I know when I started at R.K. Smith, she was instrumental in my success, so I am thankful that I get the opportunity to provide this support for others now,” Green said.
When working with both teachers and students, Green’s focus is upon building relationships. Truly listening to people and understanding their viewpoint, she said, is very important to her.
“I also do everything I can to be positive and encouraging … this doesn’t mean I don’t understand the challenges and issues that we may face, but I always try to help foster a positive mindset in others and help come up with solutions,” Green said.
While much of her day sees Green working with teachers, she has plenty of opportunity to connect with students as well. Green co-sponsors the school’s 4-H Club and Robotics Club and says she enjoys the opportunities these clubs provide to get to know students and help them explore their interests. The robotics team reached the state championship competition this year, while 4-H had a successful year in its own right, with students winning several awards in parish contests.
“With both of these clubs, the students are the ones driving the work that is done and I just do my best to sit back and empower them to be leaders,” Green said.
One of the most rewarding things for Green is seeing the school’s teachers grow and be successful.
“Being a brand new teacher is equal parts exciting and terrifying … nothing you learn in college truly prepares you for your first day in the classroom, so it is an honor for me to support new teachers as they grow as educators,” Green said. “It is incredibly rewarding to walk into a teacher’s classroom and observe them implementing a strategy that we’ve been working on and seeing the students respond positively.”
