Despite numerous recruitment offers from business and engineering firms, honor-remedial algebra and geometry teacher Jeremy Powell remains committed to his profession.
Trained in Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) teaching practices--including lecturing, graphic organizers and small tutoring groups (where he enlists strong students to tutor others)--Powell creates an exciting learning environment and motivates students to become lifelong math learners. He frequently connects mathematic concepts to real-world projects. Powell also teaches math at the adult evening school where he is praised for his patience and dedication.
In terms of achievement, his students outpaced the district on the geometry final exam; 85 percent passed the benchmark test. The fact that Westside is a high-need school makes the gains all the more impressive. Powell’s former students show their gratitude by visiting him at the ninth-grade academy before and after school.
Powell is National Board Certified. He serves on the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council and trains other educators on AVID’s instructional strategies. He calls parents at the beginning of the year to tell them about positive behaviors of their child, setting the tone for the school year. He also helped create an early college magnet program for ninth-graders who want to begin earning college credit.
