Spotlight: Jessica Wentz (IL '24)

Illinois Milken Educator Jessica Wentz (IL ‘24) is a first grade teacher and former student at Lincoln Grade School. Wentz makes learning an adventure—whether it’s through “Adjective Runway” fashion shows or “Hulk Smash” math games! Her passion for data-driven teaching and love for science-based methods transform her classroom to ensure every child succeeds. Wentz received her Milken Educator Award on January 17, 2025.

Milken Family Foundation: How did you feel at your Milken Educator Award notification?

Stunned! Truly in shock. When I watch clips from the assembly, I’m still surprised by how calm and collected I appeared—especially since I’m usually such an emotional person! I think I was so overwhelmed that my emotions hadn’t fully registered yet. Along with the shock, I felt an incredible sense of joy and gratitude for being recognized and honored for my work. It’s honestly hard to put into words how surreal and meaningful the entire experience was. One of my favorite moments came afterward—getting to sit with the Veteran Milken winners who were there and hearing how the Foundation and Award have impacted their lives. That made the moment even more powerful.

MFF: How did students respond to your Milken Award?

My first graders were absolutely adorable! At the end of the year, during some reflective writing, many of them shared that their favorite memory was being on the news with Mrs. Wentz. Others wrote about the day their teacher won “the best teacher in the world award.” Their excitement and pride were so genuine—it was clear how much the moment meant to them. Experiencing it through their eyes made it all the more special, and even more so through my son’s. He was a first grader in another class, and afterward he told me, “I knew it was going to be you.” So sweet!

MFF: What made you want to pursue a career in education?

I don’t have the typical story of always knowing I wanted to be a teacher. Many educators say they dreamed of teaching from a young age or had come from a long line of teachers—but that wasn’t the case for me. I entered college unsure of my path. I’ve always been a creative and artistic person, so I knew I needed a career that would allow me to use those strengths. I initially pursued journalism, but something felt missing—and that “something” turned out to be children. Thankfully, that realization led me to teaching. It’s funny now to think that I didn’t always see myself in this role, because today I can’t imagine being anything but a teacher. My husband talks about his retirement dreams, and I always say, “I’ll never retire—I can’t!” Teaching is such a part of who I am. It gives me purpose, joy and a deep sense of fulfillment every single day.

MFF: Your creative classroom strategies, like “Adjective Runway” and “Hulk Smash,” have clearly made learning both effective and fun. How do you balance education with play to ensure academic growth?

Finding that balance is one of my favorite parts of teaching! It’s where I truly get to tap into my creativity! I love the challenge of designing immersive, hands-on learning experiences that not only meet academic goals, but also captivate and inspire my students. Activities like “Adjective Runway” and “Hulk Smash” are more than just fun: they’re intentional and effective. When students are actively engaged and enjoying themselves, their learning deepens, and they’re able to make meaningful connections to real-world contexts. It’s a win-win: they’re having fun and building academic skills in lasting, impactful ways.

MFF: You’ve played a key role in shaping schoolwide reading practices and mentoring new teachers. What has been the most rewarding aspect of leading professional development?

It has been incredibly rewarding to see the transformation in the students in our building due to our staff being proactive and jumping into the science of reading practices! The growth our students are making is just incredible. It’s also really rewarding to pass on the skills and strategies I’ve strengthened over the years to other educators—knowing the positive impact they’ve had on my students and will now have on theirs as well!

MFF: What does “success” look like for you and your students in life?

For me, success means coming to work each day and truly making a difference in my students’ lives. I want students to feel seen, loved and important. I want them to dream big and believe in themselves, both in and out of the classroom. When I know I’ve helped build their confidence and shown them they matter, that’s when I feel most success.

MFF: Who are your role models in teaching?

I have SO many! I’ve been lucky to work with so many fabulous educators over the years, and I try to take little snippets of each of them with me. I was incredibly fortunate to start my career on what I’d call a “dream team”—three amazing teachers who were constant role models for the kind of educator I aspired to be.

One of the most influential was my mentor, Genia Workheiser. Fifteen years ago, she showed me what it meant to be a dynamic, passionate teacher. Her classroom was filled with excitement and a genuine love for learning, and I knew I wanted to create that same feeling for my students. She also gave me the confidence and support I needed to grow into the teacher I am today. Now that I’ve had the opportunity to mentor new teachers myself, I often reflect on how lucky I was to have been set up for success by such incredible colleagues.

My love for immersive learning has also been heavily inspired by Hope and Wade King. I attended one of their conferences early in my career, and it completely shaped my approach to creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences that stick with students long after the lesson ends.

MFF: How do you hope to be remembered by your students?

I hope to be remembered as the teacher who made them feel seen, loved and excited to learn. Someone who believed in them and inspired them to dream big.