Interactive Language Arts - Teachers Honor Teachers
- Bethany Berg, Brooklyn High School
A chaperone on the school’s annual European trip, Jamie Sullivan (far left) enjoys learning how to cook authentic Italian cuisine on location in Italy with a group of her students from Brooklyn High School.
“Jamie is unafraid to take risks and pushes herself to be innovative when assessing student learning.”
-Bethany Berg
Jamie Sullivan is a 10th-grade English/Language Arts and Dual Credit English Composition & Poetry teacher at Brooklyn High School. Year after year, Jamie brings excitement and energy to her teaching regardless of challenges. I had the pleasure of co-teaching with Jamie, and she inspired me to upend traditional approaches to teaching Shakespeare by combining our 9th- and 10th-grade level classes. In doing this, we could work together to make Shakespeare's work meaningful and fun in today's culture.
Another way Jamie creates student-centered learning and engaged assessments is by designing interactive games to get students moving and collaborating with their peers. Occasionally, we'll see her students hunting around the school, looking for clues to a scavenger hunt. She is unafraid to take risks and pushes herself to be innovative when assessing student learning. She is always willing to share her materials with any of her colleagues.
Jamie Sullivan makes the study of Shakespeare’s classic works, such as Romeo & Juliet, relevant to her students by getting them involved in a theater residency, costume design, and sword fighting.
Jamie deserves this recognition mainly because she is deeply committed to working with our low-income and minority students. She finds creative and intelligent ways to make classic works relevant by emphasizing critical thinking, incorporating contemporary texts, bringing experiences to students, and leading student trips outside the building. One such example is by taking students to see live productions and bringing a theater residency to our school.
Jamie’s expert knowledge of the material and excitement for the classroom is contagious. She builds lasting relationships with her students and supports their future goals through the teaching of literacy. In my 17 years of teaching, I have not met an educator with the same energy and authenticity as she has for her craft. Jamie comes from the community in which she teaches. She understands our students' challenges and how to push them in a way that most teachers cannot. I have learned much from Jamie Sullivan and it is an honor to call her my colleague.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program in fall of 2022 inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Bethany Berg expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Jamie Sullivan. Thank you to both educators for your dedication to students and for taking the time to showcase what it means to deliver challenging, innovative, and student-centered lessons that result in powerful and deep learning.
Through the Teachers Honor Teachers Program, The Foundation is seeking Ohio public school teachers to share great things about a teaching colleague in an Ohio public school that ensures deep learning for students. If we choose to post your story, we will award $500 toward that teacher's classroom for their great work and $500 toward your classroom for honoring their excellence. Apply here.