Teachers of the Month
Since 1996, the Rotary Club of Fort Collins has recognized a Teacher of the Month, selected by the Poudre School District and honored by the Club as an outstanding representative of the profession and member of the community.

March Teacher of the Month was Jennifer Martinez of Bacon Elementary School. She was introduced by her Principal, Joe Horky. After leading us in singing she gave an account of how music classes have evolved since most Rotarians took the subject. Activities such as song writing, playing in different keys and building a song on computers were among the many new techniques she mentioned. Ms. Martinez stressed that it is important to meet students where they are, including students of all interests and abilities, and autistic and disabled students. In her classes joyful participation initiates the process of music education.



Our November Teacher of the Month was Jamie Drage, a fourth grade teacher from Bethke Elementary School in Timnath. Her principal, Ann Alfonso, introduced by Marty Bachman, spoke of Jamie’s deep commitment to her profession. Jamie attended PSD, and as a youngster played games where she was the teacher and continued to dream of becoming a teacher herself. Jamie is one of those teachers who loves to come to work every day. She is straight forward, optimistic and enthusiastic. Her students discover that learning is fun and that each and every one of them has a positive relationship with their teacher. She believes that developing these relationships is the core of teaching. In addition to these classroom accomplishments, Jamie has helped to develop curriculum and has supported other teachers trying to improve student performance. Jamie had an earlier career as an athletic trainer at CSU stemming from her major in sports and exercise science. She happily switched to elementary education thereafter. While she claimed that she was more comfortable addressing fourth graders, her talk to our Rotary Club was notable for how she held our attention as she clearly and warmly addressed the great vocational love of her life.