Rockford Teacher Inspires Students, Colleagues and Future Educators
Well, look at that: a brand new Teacher of the Week from Rockford Lutheran Elementary in Rockford!
Every week, we have the privilege of surprising an amazing teacher in their classroom, surrounded by all their students. Today, we're celebrating a teacher whose impact reaches far beyond her students. She's inspired her colleagues just as much.
We surprised her with some well-deserved gifts from Nothing Bundt Cakes, WM DaySpa Salon, and Benassi Family Dentistry!
Congratulations to Jennifer Fustin - 97ZOK's Teacher of the Week!
Read More: Machesney Park Teacher Shows Strength, Kindness & Compassion
She was nominated by Ashley Hartmann. This is the letter she sent us:
I first met Jen Fustin two years ago when I became her teacher’s aide in first grade. It did not take long for me to realize how special she was, not only as a teacher, but as a person. I watched the way she spoke to her students, made learning fun through songs and creativity, and most importantly, made every child feel smart, capable, and important.
Jen became a big part of the reason I decided, almost two years ago, to go back to school and earn my own degree in education. Watching the impact she made every day helped me realize that I wanted to find a new purpose in my own life and hopefully make children feel the way Jen makes her students feel.
One of the greatest lessons Jen taught me was, to meet children where they are in that moment, rather than expecting them to meet us where we think they should be. It is something I carry with me every day and will someday take into my own classroom.
Jen is now our STEM teacher, where she has poured that same passion into creating a program and lab that gets kids genuinely excited about learning.
Recently, a parent told me they had considered transferring their child to a school closer to home. When their child found out Mrs. Fustin would be teaching coding next year, he told his mom there was no way he could switch schools. He was too excited to learn coding with Mrs. Fustin.
I think that says so much about the kind of teacher Jen is. She has made an impact on her students, our families, her coworkers, and on me personally. She helped inspire me to become a teacher myself, and I can only hope that someday my students feel as valued, capable, and excited to learn as Jen makes hers feel. I am beyond grateful to work and to learn every day from a teacher like Mrs. Fustin.
A big congratulations to Jennifer Fustin from Rockford Lutheran Elementary! We're so thankful for your dedication to your students, their families, and our community. Your work doesn't go unnoticed.
TOTW Interview - Jennifer Fustin
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