Learning that Lasts a Lifetime
- Clare Volz, Worthington Academy
“Dr. Shardell meets students where they are each day through thoughtful, project-based learning.”
-Samantha Wood
On paper, Jeff Webb is a mathematics teacher. In reality, he has a gravitational pull that grows everyone around him in a way that is unparalleled. Jeff helps run a program for the most at-risk students in Worthington City Schools. He assumes that these students are in charge of their own lives; therefore he creates an entire school experience around helping them control lifetime learning.
Dr. Shardell’s students thrive because of the safe and friendly environment she creates in her classroom.
Jeff finds ways to prepare these young people for life beyond school. He shows them that trajectory matters: the gap between those who do and do not understand this concept widens with age. In doing so, he guides students in three distinct categories: traditional educational subjects, personal well-being, and life path.
Jeff believes all students should complete an independent study in high school, earning credit in the process. He guides students as they identify areas of interest and then plan and execute these experiences. Our school offers a mentor program, and Jeff pairs mentors with students who are interested in the mentors’ careers. When possible, the mentor and mentee work on the independent study together so that the student experiences real-world learning firsthand. Jeff made the program a Google partner, allowing the district to offer certificates in six well-compensated fields, including data analytics, project management, and UX design. These programs are open to every student in the school district. Jeff seeks out underperforming, perfectionistic learners, who are often overlooked in educational spaces, and encourages them to learn coding through a program that utilizes art and design to teach Python. Whereas 1.5 percent of students in our district take a coding class, 30 percent of Jeff's math students enroll in one.
Jeff coaches students to care for themselves by focusing on their health and personal financial management. He impresses upon them the importance of finding a profession that offers healthcare. He encourages them to see a doctor and dentist regularly. The US has a massive, income-based life expectancy gap, which is impacted by regular, routine medical and dental care. Jeff works to ensure our students understand this. He is also a firm believer in the power of compound interest. He teaches students to practice money management by saving part of their income, finding low-fee indexed investments, and increasing their knowledge of finance regularly to help them avoid the fears associated with jargon and concept overload.
Jeff pushed to create a local Business Advisory Council that encourages local business leaders to set up partnerships that benefit students. He meets regularly with this group, promoting the creation and continuation of pre-apprenticeships. Students who participate receive some combination of high school credit and financial compensation, all while working at a company that hopes to hire the student full-time with benefits upon graduation. Jeff regularly teaches students how to identify careers that require fewer resources to enter but offer solid opportunities for growth. He seeks out former students and community members who have gone down these paths and invites them to speak to and serve as resources to current students.
Teachers Honor Teachers
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation launched a new program last fall inviting teachers to recognize a colleague they know is doing exceptional work in the classroom.
In the above post, Clare Vol expresses her admiration for fellow teacher, Jeff Webb. 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.