December 16, 2005

EvergreenTeacher of the Month

Charlotte Jenkins,
Valle Vista Magnet School

By Bea Baechle
Editor

When Galvin Jackson, board member for the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District, heard that second-grade teacher Charlotte Jenkins would be retiring Dec. 16, he set the wheels in motion to recognize her 16 years as a certificated teacher.

Parents of students at Valle Vista Magnet School filled in the details, singing the praises of an Evergreen resident who has been teaching in this Mt. Pleasant district for 11 years.

Charlotte Jenkins, 62, is the Evergreen Times Teacher of the Month for December.

Pat O’Hara, whose son Garrett is now 11, said Jenkins helped Garrett immensely in second grade. “She did wonders for my son—she was one of the best teachers my son has ever had,” said O’Hara.

While in Jenkins’ class, Garrett left the classroom each day for additional help in the Individual Education Program. Jenkins knew that Garrett would be missing information in class, explained O’Hara, so she tracked it and worked closely with Garrett and her to make sure he didn’t fall behind.

“Very few teachers would track that so closely,” said O’Hara. “His grades really improved, and he got one of the highest math scores on the STAR test in his class.”

O’Hara actually removed her son from the special needs program after his year with Jenkins, and she attributes much of his success to Jenkins’ watchful eye.

“It’s very rare to find a teacher who will put in that amount of time,” added O’Hara. “She was a strict, demanding teacher, and if you wanted your child to really learn, that was the classroom to be in.”

Lupe Chavez, whose son Eddie has been in Jenkins class since August, describes Eddie’s her as “a wonderful teacher all the way around.” She cried when she received the letter announcing Jenkins’ early retirement.

“She has been a blessing to my child,” said Chavez. “She’s only been working with Eddie for three months, but he’s shown so much improvement. She is so patient.”

Joanne Penn explained that when she first met Jenkins at a parent night, she learned the value of Jenkins’ experience teaching overseas at an all-girls school in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Jenkins explained that children overseas really appreciate their education, because they see it as their main means of moving forward.

“She wants to instill this love of learning in her students here,” said Penn. “I have really seen my daughter blossom with Ms. Jenkins.”

Penn describes her daughter Jasmine as an intelligent, “highly spirited” child who—as an only child—loves to socialize at school, her primary opportunity to be around other children.

“Ms. Jenkins discovered the personality of my child and she knows she needs to keep her occupied when she finishes her work, so that she won’t be a distraction to the kids who haven’t finished,” said Penn. “She gives her tasks and has her help other kids—I’m not sure if other teachers would have done that.”

Penn is impressed with Jenkins’ calm, reassuring manner. “She is such a peaceful teacher, and she told the kids that she will never raise her voice.”

Debbie Hanson, principal of Valle Vista Magnet School, added, “Charlotte can be counted on to provide a global perspective on all issues. She valiantly reminds us to be open-minded and sensitive to the needs and rights of others.”

Jenkins spent 15 years as a sales representative for General Foods and also served as the director of the Head Start program in Berkeley. She had always dreamed of becoming a teacher.

“Teaching has been the most rewarding part of my work career,” said Jenkins. “It’s been an honor to work with so many phenomenal parents. I have a learned a lot from them, and many have become my role models.”