LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jessie Chaney was nominated by her colleague, Kat Stone.

Ms. Chaney leads by example. She embraces her students where they are and helps them make amazing academic and social-emotional progress. She's a teacher who takes the time to offer herself to others without a second thought. Ms. Chaney's a new teacher mentor in her building, and she helps to make new teachers' overwhelming first year in the district easier by providing guidance with literally everything. For example, she teaches her peers to navigate the various platforms the district uses, such as email, calendars, print shop, sub finder, year goals, Canvas, Seesaw, and so many more. She does this with patience and kindness.

Ms. Chaney's also on the leadership team for the school, helping to make sure that teacher voices are heard and that communication is maintained throughout the team.  She hosts meetings for new staff to be able to create a community where they can ask " silly" questions about procedures, practices, and problems. She either provides the answers or lends a sympathetic ear.

Ms. Chaney works tirelessly to make the school's community garden a success. Through her efforts, the bounty is donated to the district food program to help ensure that fresh food is given to those in need. She helps to make the garden accessible to the whole school by providing opportunities for students and teachers to participate in planting, harvesting, and cleaning up. The students take great pride in being part of the hunger solution. They learn that food and the natural world are not to be taken for granted. This garden is one of the best in the district because of Ms. Chaney's commitment to its health and the community.

Ms. Chaney is an amazing teacher for the youngest of learners. She embraces all that kindergartners bring with them. She helps their learning journey with delight. Ms. Chaney's thoughtful in how each child is treated and where they will start. For example, she recently had a new student join her class. This student came from another country, did not speak any English, and had never been in any school setting before. Ms. Chaney rearranged her reading groups without hesitation to give this student the best possible opportunity for individualized, one-on-one education. Not only is it beneficial for that student, but the other students in the class were able to progress on their paths, as well, without having to slow down at all.

She is a terrific reading teacher who instills the love of reading and learning in her students. Before any child comes in from recess, gets on the bus, or gets in the lunch line, they are given the chance to reinforce the particular letter/word of the week. The constant repetition and reminders help those kids who need it to cement what they're learning. She utilizes the best practices in reading and writing, and she differentiates her instruction to reach each learner. She's always assessing and raising the level for each student.

Ms. Chaney's relentless in her approach to equity and social-emotional learning. She incorporates these in her daily approach to life. She is always making sure that every student has a voice and that their culture is valued in her classroom. In the last social studies unit on Winter Holidays, she sent out surveys to her families to make sure the unit had something that each family celebrated. As a result, the students learned about Diwali, Boxing Day, Omasaka, and many other celebrations. The students not only felt like they were represented, but they were also able to learn more about their peers and the world.

Ms. Chaney knows the hearts and minds of these young learners. During planning for social-emotional learning, she is thoughtful about when the lessons can and should be taught. Her classroom culture is one of kindness and learning. Her students are learning about problem solving, conflict resolution, empathy, emotions, social justice, restorative practices, kindness, and many other life skills. Each morning, her students are allowed to participate in the classroom meetings to work on providing language to be able to express and embrace many different social-emotional situations.  

"Jessie Chaney is an advocate for her students and their families. She is truly the Teacher of the Year in my eyes," said Stone.