EHS Teacher Jackie Roehl Lacks Time for 'Gardening and Jigsaw Puzzles'

By Perry Bruder, Zephyrus Staff Writer

During Jackie Roehl’s second hour Pre-AP English 10 class, students may be reciting Shakespeare one day and discussing race issues the next. The walls are covered with student work, ranging from taxonomies to graphic novels.

Roehl won the 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award last May. It is an award given to a teacher who demonstrates great progress in the classroom. Not only does Roehl have the responsibility to teach in her classroom at Edina High School, but she also has to speak at conferences and other schools.

How did this English teacher win the award?

"I worked to recognize different cultures and engage everyone in the classroom," she said.

This is evident in her class. She tries to get everyone to participate and quiets distractions, creating an ideal learning environment. So what is she up to as Teacher of the Year 2012 for Minnesota?

"I go around speaking at many public schools," she said. "I just spoke in Winona at St. Mary’s College. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people."

How does she handle this commitment?

"I do wish I had a little bit more free time for gardening and jigsaw puzzles," she admitted.

As if she wasn’t occupied enough, Roehl published a chapter in Glenn Singleton’s new book, More Courageous Conversations About Race. In her chapter, she discusses racial equity in Minnesota and mentions Edina.

While many were relaxing during MEA break, Roehl was speaking at the Teacher’s Conference. Her message was the same one she sends to educators taking her course through Hamline University, specifically discussing culturally responsive teaching strategies.

"I try to get my students to work in groups and do taxonomies, make posters and other activities instead of just talking at them," she said.

As for the future, Roehl has plans to travel for four weeks with Teachers of the Year from other staetes, visiting Arizona and Washington, D.C.

Roehl even gets to meet the President Obama later on this year.

Should she win National Teacher of the Year for 2012, Roehl sadly says she'll have to take a leave of absence from EHS.

"I can’t teach here anymore [for the year she is the national winner], she said. "It’s a full-time job."

If she doesn’t win, rest assured, she’ll still be at Edina High School helping the progress of knowledge.

Be sure to check out Zephyrus' website for more coverage of Edina High School news.

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