Congratulations to Shea Tomich, Jefferson Middle School's Teacher of the Year. Ms. Tomich has been the Dance teacher for Jefferson MS for five years.
Ms. Tomich's story:
During Spring Break of my teaching practicum, I decided to visit my aunt in San Antonio to escape the arctic chill of a Minnesota winter. An esteemed educator herself, my aunt suggested I set up some interviews with a few schools while I was visiting. Within 10 minutes of arriving at Rayburn Middle School, I knew I had found what would become my first teaching home. Eager to be part of the exceptional school culture, I promptly volunteered to assist with their Learning Tree Carnival the evening after my interview. I was offered and accepted a position for the 2007-2008 school year the following week, finished my student-teaching, planned a cross-country move, and never looked back.
I spent five very rewarding years as an educator at Rayburn; learning and collaborating with some of the finest teachers and administrators I’ve ever met. I was afforded the opportunity to teach all three levels of Math and served as the Math Department Coordinator during my final two years there. An excellent opportunity presented itself to move to Jefferson during the 2012-2013 School Year, but Rayburn will always be my first Northside home. Once a Raider, always a Raider!
During my first three years at Jefferson, I taught Math SCE for all three grade levels. This allowed me the opportunity to work with kids who might not have necessarily struggled with math but needed the right teacher to build their confidence and bridge their learning gaps. I remember these years fondly, as they helped me cultivate my teaching skill set when it comes to building the whole child rather than simply teaching content.
In the following four years at Jefferson, I taught 8th Grade Math with an extraordinary team of teachers who embodied all of the aspects of a successful PLC. This collaborative environment taught me the true essence of communication and collaboration.
When I learned Northside was bringing dance curriculum and education to the middle school level in 2017, I immediately asked my principal at the time to consider me for the position. He laughed and said, “We will be one of the last schools to get it, but when we do, I’m not letting one of the best math teachers around teach dance. That just doesn’t make any sense.” We now joke that his retirement present to me was opening our Dance program in the Fall of 2019.
To say my five years spent teaching Dance have been interesting is the understatement of the century. I’ve taught Dance in-person, online from home, online from school, and even from quarantine at home while the kids were at school! It has been a wild ride, but a very fulfilling one. Sharing my passion for performing with young people every day is an honor that I don’t take lightly. In fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere, I like to think I create an environment where students feel valued and seen. And when kids feel seen, the possibilities are endless.
