Position: ELL Math Teacher
School: Longfellow Middle School
School District: Enid Public Schools
City, State: Enid, OK
Kaeli Jantz was nominated by her principal, Jonathan Mitchell.
On a daily basis, Mrs. Jantz makes a beneficial difference in the lives of students at Longfellow Middle School. She serves as an ELL teacher and student monitor as she preps for math lessons each day. Mrs. Jantz possesses a unique ability to reach students whose native languages are Spanish and Marshallese. Many of these students do not speak English at all, but Mrs. Jantz' dedication to the profession, mixed with her students' determination, makes it work each day.
Mrs. Jantz has a contagious, positive outlook on life, and that shines through her building and promotes an atmosphere of success and a belief of a brighter tomorrow. She is a leader in her school's Math PLC meetings, and she also serves as lead teacher in the ELL PLC. Her students' state test scores continue to shine, showing growth each year. That record of excellence in growing students is even easier to see when you walk into her classroom throughout the year. Mrs. Jantz has given up her personal time for years working with students after school hours tutoring them in math and other subjects. She pulls the best out of her English language learners, allowing them to grow and feel confident with mathematics and the English language.
"Kaeli's positive attitude, commitment to her students and the profession, and high moral and ethical values make her a LifeChanger in our community," said Mitchell.