America’s military spouses are the backbone of the families who support our troops during mission, deployment, reintegration, and reset. Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the strength of the nation, and they serve our country just like their loved ones.
This Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we want to honor and appreciate a member of the Elevate K-12 community whose commitment and support help to keep our country safe.
Name: Jennifer H.
Location: Citrus Heights, CA
Experience With Elevate K-12: 2 years
Expert/Superstar In: Academic Coach Coordinator
What excites you the most about coaching instructors?
I love coaching! I love looking at a classroom and being able to be inspired by those moments. Coaching gives me an opportunity to see an instructor’s or academic coach’s potential. It’s the people, instructors, and coaches, that inspire me to grow and improve my craft.
What strategies do you use to coach and mentor instructors?
As an Academic Coach Coordinator, I look to make online instruction engaging by connected instructors and coaches to resources. These resources could be other people or training. My job is to support our instructional team as they engage all of our Elevate K12 students. I have found that frequent and open growth coaching is a strategy that I have found effective for reaching students below grade level. Some of the greatest success I have seen this year has come from instructors asking for weekly coaching support. These coaching cycles allow instructors to present issues and brainstorm potential solutions. Real growth is seen in these cases.
How has being a military spouse affected your decision to join Elevate K-12?
Since I am a military mom, I am moving around a lot. I am currently preparing for our family’s 4th out of state move in 3 years. I am happy to know that no matter where I go, I still have a job available to me. I also love the flexibility to be home and support my children as they transition from remote to hybrid learning options.
Describe your best moment coaching live and online. Be specific!
A great moment I experienced this year happened after completing a coaching cycle. The instructor wanted help with engagement in the hybrid classroom with some reluctant learners. After a few weeks, we were able to see things start changing within the students and they started taking ownership of their learning. This was a beautiful thing to see change over time.
Tell us a little more about who you are–what do you like to do?
My current hobby is packing boxes as we prepare for another military move over the next few weeks. I love swimming and spend most of the summer in the pool or on the beach, lake or ocean. I am not picky. I am a mother of 2 fantastic kiddos. Most of my hobbies revolve around their hobbies. I am currently the dugout mom for my son’s tee-ball team, the Sunrise Orioles. I am hoping to get my daughter onto a soccer team once settling into the Southern Maryland/DC area this summer.
Thank you for your service to the country and its students, Jennifer H.!