GILROY
– It’s not every day that middle-schoolers dance for math. But
thanks to the enthusiasm of math teacher Jenny Belcher, students
are finding new and creative ways to understand the subject.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – It’s not every day that middle-schoolers dance for math. But thanks to the enthusiasm of math teacher Jenny Belcher, students are finding new and creative ways to understand the subject.
Students’ passion for the “communicative property dance” is just one example why Gilroy Economic Development Corporation named the South Valley Middle School teacher its Educator of the Year for 2003.
“She’s an outstanding teacher,” said Mayor Tom Springer, a member of the EDC’s board of directors. “There’s so many fine teachers in the Gilroy Unified School District and over at Gavilan College. We had many good recommendations, and we had a lot of discussion (about) them, but she made it to the top of the list because she’s such an excellent teacher and she’s never sought recognition.”
EDC representatives and Principal Paul de Ayora surprised Belcher during third period Tuesday, armed with flowers and a no-strings-attached check for $1,000.
“I’ve got goose bumps,” Belcher said as her students erupted in a round of applause. “But you still have a test tomorrow.”
Last month, the EDC asked community members to nominate any local educator for the annual distinction given to an individual who enhances the learning experience in Gilroy.
“EDC recognizes the fact that education plays a huge part in the long-term economic vitality of business,” said Vic Vanni, EDC president. “So, by recognizing the teacher, giving them $1,000, we just try to let the educators know that we value them and know that they can make a difference in the way our city will end up being.”
She is being recognized for exceptional motivational skills, innovation and respect from both students and peers.
As a further testament to Belcher’s positive impact on students, it was representatives from the Associated Student Body who nominated her.
“That’s unusual,” Springer said. “This (nomination) was outstanding not only because it was a student recommendation … but also because of what it said in the details. How she makes math real to students, how she teaches them to use it as applications in everyday life.”
ASB advisor Julia Popa encouraged student representatives to select and nominate a favorite teacher. After the more than 30 representatives put several teachers to a vote, Belcher came out the winner.
“Last year, math was a lot of fun and a lot easier,” said Chris Mirelez, who was in Belcher’s class last year and wrote one of the nomination essays. “We talked about … some ideas of what we should write about in the essay … and we came up with how she likes to make up dances for the math. We thought that would be … a good example thing for it.”
Students have even performed the choreography at some of the school’s dances.
“(Belcher) really gets them involved. … I think they just really like her, and she makes math fun,” Popa said.
De Ayora announced Belcher’s distinction to the entire school over the loudspeaker immediately after returning to the main office from her classroom ambush. This is the second year in a row that a South Valley teacher has won the award.
“I was shocked,” Belcher said of the surprise. “At first I thought, ‘Is this some kind of state evaluation?’ ”
Following third period, students rushed to her room with congratulations and to take credit for the contributing to the winning nomination.
Belcher currently covers both ends of the student-performance spectrum, teaching two classes of intervention math for students below grade level and two classes of accelerated pre-algebra for more advanced students.
“In a lot of schools, you get brand-new teachers or inexperienced teachers to teach the math intervention classes instead of the very best, and she offered to teach (those) classes,” De Ayora said. “So we took the very best into the classes with the most need.”
Belcher supports the idea of veteran teachers instructing intervention classes because they can bring in more from things they’ve learned throughout their careers, she said.
For example, math-related singing and dancing.
“I find if I can sing and dance long enough, eventually they follow along,” Belcher said. “If I can find something that has a rhythm to it, it becomes a memory device.”
She strives to connect math to her students in a familiar way, and music seems a fitting avenue.
“They come in not knowing their math, but knowing every kind of rap song,” Belcher said.
Belcher will also be recognized at the Annual Citizen’s Award Presentation on Feb. 7 at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club. The Chamber of Commerce Man, Woman and Businesses of the Year will also be honored that evening.
