The teacher of the month of September is Jillian Jimenez.
Jimenez has been teaching for six years, and has spent the last three of those years at Hughson High School. Currently, she teaches English and Broadcasting in which she mostly works with twelfth grade students. On campus students may recognize Jimenez for her time as a volleyball coach for the last six years or her work as the sophomore class advisor.
In her English classroom, Jimenez said, “I love the conversations and dialogue that happens with students and between students about different topics.”
In just 45 minutes Jimenez strives to leave a lasting impact on her students. She assigns work to enhance their comprehension of language and culture. Current Hughson High senior, and student of Jimenez, Danieal Rodriguez said, “Mrs. Jimenez is open to helping students when they need it, and has some good stories to tell.”
Jimenez was inspired to teach by Hughson High School educators Karlee Ruelas and Kaci Brazil. She said, “they gave me so many opportunities to grow and learn as an HHS student.” After experiencing life as a volleyball coach at Hughson high while working a managerial job in retail, Jimenez was encouraged to go back to school and make a career in teaching.
Since her career as an educator began Jimenez said her experience as a teacher has been, “mostly positive and rewarding but has also opened my eyes to how many kids come from unique and diverse backgrounds.” With this knowledge, Jimenez makes it a priority in her classroom to break down essays and often work slowly to guarantee understanding. Jimenez explained that writing is often a struggle for students, making the extra time spent worth the effort.
Over the years, Jimenez has collected many proud memories, her favorite was doing the worm at the welcome back rally her first year at Hughson High School. She also has many fond memories in the community and mentioned her love for the long lasting tradition and unity the town has when people are in need.
Jimenez continues to shape students’ lives at Hughson High, with her most recent project being an effort to form a broadcasting club on campus. Just as Ruelas and Brazil gave Jimenez many opportunities, Jimenez is broadening the realm of options that students at Hughson High School are offered.
When interviewed by student journalists at Hughson High Jimenez offered advice to students, she said, “Be kind to others,” adding “people won’t remember what you wore, if you were homecoming queen, or if you had straight A’s but they will remember how you made them feel.”
Jimenez also left advice for new teachers. She said, “Building relationships is so important and to let every student have a fresh start each day they walk in your class regardless of their behavior the day before; in other words don’t hold grudges.”
At Hughson High School, Jimenez is a teacher who is valued for her patience towards students and effort to tap into children’s love for creation of media and comprehension of English.
