WCS Teacher Finalist For Teacher Of Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
"Potential" is a word often used when describing Warsaw Community High School teacher Jeanne McCormack.
As in, "She really helps kids reach their potential." Or, "She definitely has the potential to be the state's teacher of the year."
As one of the 10 state finalists for 1999 teacher of the year, McCormack will travel to Indianapolis Sept. 8 to be interviewed by a committee from the Indiana Department of Education.
She said Thursday that when she found out about her nomination, "at first I was very, very surprised. ... I feel a big responsibility to be the ambassador of good will for Warsaw Community Schools."
McCormack teaches Step One students at WCHS - students she defines as those who are not "reaching up to their potential."
To help them measure up to their ability, she said, she must "make a connection." And to do that, she tries to get them involved in community service or a school function.
"They have to extend themselves beyond the seat they occupy," she said.
The curriculum is based on such things as manners, adaptability, fitting into the community and stress management, she said.
"The three things we emphasize are attitude, academics and attendance," she said. "We dabble in as many areas as possible to try to find out where that kid fits in their own comfort zone."
"Jeanne is an outstanding candidate for teacher of the year," said WCHS principal Paul Crousore. "If there's anybody more student-centered than Jeanne, I don't know who it would be.
"She's one of those people, if a kid needs a hug today, they get a hug. She helps nurture young people who need assistance."
McCormack, 51, has taught for 28 years and has been in the Warsaw school system for 23. This is the fifth year for the Step One program she leads.
Assistant school superintendant Dr. Tony Etienne said Thursday that McCormack's emphasis has always been on how best to help students.
"She has great insight into kids and how to work with them, how to help them be successful," he said.
McCormack said that the climate of mutual respect between her and her students and the kids' energy help keep her going.
"In our last set of 40 juniors, we had 13 who went on to post-secondary education," she said. "That's just phenomenal. These kids have to have roots before they can worry about square roots."
The goal of the Step One program is to help the students make honor roll, she said, not just because it is an honor, but because it will be on their high school transcript, which will allow them to walk onto a worksite with a recommendation in hand.
A native Hoosier and an Indiana University graduate, McCormack is the third WCHS teacher in less than 10 years to be in the top 10 nominees; the most recent was Joe Conlon two years ago, and the first was Ann Robinson, who died recently.
"This is a tribute to her," McCormack said. [[In-content Ad]]
"Potential" is a word often used when describing Warsaw Community High School teacher Jeanne McCormack.
As in, "She really helps kids reach their potential." Or, "She definitely has the potential to be the state's teacher of the year."
As one of the 10 state finalists for 1999 teacher of the year, McCormack will travel to Indianapolis Sept. 8 to be interviewed by a committee from the Indiana Department of Education.
She said Thursday that when she found out about her nomination, "at first I was very, very surprised. ... I feel a big responsibility to be the ambassador of good will for Warsaw Community Schools."
McCormack teaches Step One students at WCHS - students she defines as those who are not "reaching up to their potential."
To help them measure up to their ability, she said, she must "make a connection." And to do that, she tries to get them involved in community service or a school function.
"They have to extend themselves beyond the seat they occupy," she said.
The curriculum is based on such things as manners, adaptability, fitting into the community and stress management, she said.
"The three things we emphasize are attitude, academics and attendance," she said. "We dabble in as many areas as possible to try to find out where that kid fits in their own comfort zone."
"Jeanne is an outstanding candidate for teacher of the year," said WCHS principal Paul Crousore. "If there's anybody more student-centered than Jeanne, I don't know who it would be.
"She's one of those people, if a kid needs a hug today, they get a hug. She helps nurture young people who need assistance."
McCormack, 51, has taught for 28 years and has been in the Warsaw school system for 23. This is the fifth year for the Step One program she leads.
Assistant school superintendant Dr. Tony Etienne said Thursday that McCormack's emphasis has always been on how best to help students.
"She has great insight into kids and how to work with them, how to help them be successful," he said.
McCormack said that the climate of mutual respect between her and her students and the kids' energy help keep her going.
"In our last set of 40 juniors, we had 13 who went on to post-secondary education," she said. "That's just phenomenal. These kids have to have roots before they can worry about square roots."
The goal of the Step One program is to help the students make honor roll, she said, not just because it is an honor, but because it will be on their high school transcript, which will allow them to walk onto a worksite with a recommendation in hand.
A native Hoosier and an Indiana University graduate, McCormack is the third WCHS teacher in less than 10 years to be in the top 10 nominees; the most recent was Joe Conlon two years ago, and the first was Ann Robinson, who died recently.
"This is a tribute to her," McCormack said. [[In-content Ad]]