Empowering Educators - Mrs. Jena Spencer Williams

Meet Mrs. Jena Spencer Williams - Physical Education Paraprofessional and North Elementary School's School Related Employee of the Year 2019

Each and every morning, Mrs. Jena Spencer can be found in North Elementary School cafeteria - talking to students and helping them with their breakfast. Mrs. Spencer helps students to find a seat, open their milk carton, or just tie their shoe laces; what ever is needed - Mrs. Spencer is at their service with her bubbly personality, and a smile on her face.

Mrs. Spencer shared that she has always hoped to have an opportunity to be part of the NES team. Two years ago when a position came open in the PE department things did not line up, and Mrs. Spencer missed out on the opportunity to join the team. Mrs. Spencer remembers being disappointed, but said that what was to follow, could not have been planned out any better. Mrs. Spencer had an opportunity to help out at NES, filling in for a secretarial position at the front office which allowed her to get to know the staff, students, and their families. She refers to this experience as a "great transition" into what was to come. In 2019-20, Mrs. Spencer was offered the physical education paraprofessional position, and she was ready to step in. Mrs. Spencer states that the front office experience definitely helped with this transition as it allowed her to be more comfortable with the school, the procedures, as well as the people.

When asked what inspired Mrs. Spencer to think about becoming a paraprofessional, she stated that she always wanted to work around children. She shared that she is a busy sports mom, and she has also been coaching soccer at Parks and Recreation and at Upward Soccer. These experiences on the field have allowed her to share good times with friends and family in Okeechobee which then led her to develop an interest in working with students in a school setting.

Mrs. Spencer said that teachers are some of the most important people in the whole world, and she had a personal story to share to explain, why. Mrs. Spencer admitted that as a teenager, she had a hard time at school. Being often the youngest in her cohort, she remembers feeling insecure around others who just seemed to grab things faster. Mrs. Spencer remembers that she was ready to give up as she found herself at risk of failing. Entering the senior year with a low GPA, she knew that she had to do a quick turn-around or she would not graduate. She remembers feeling like this was not a possibility until she entered Mrs. McKee's classroom at Okeechobee High School. Mrs. Spencer said that Mrs. McKee made a difference in her life. "Mrs. McKee did not let me fail, and made me feel capable", Mrs. Spencer said. "I did not believe I could to it until I heard someone say it to me". Mrs. McKee was that teacher who saw the potential and empowered Mrs. Spencer - allowing her to finish the senior year, graduate with good memories about the school, and more specifically, with good memories about this particular teacher who made the difference in her life.

It has been an upward spiral since then, Mrs. Spencer said. The encouragement from one teacher made the difference that initially allowed her to graduate from the high school, but later resulted in Mrs. Spencer's ability to obtain a job that she desired to have.

Mrs. Spencer said that she wanted to share this story because it illustrates that taking time for students and being positive with them can be everything to a child. "As educators", she said, "we have the ability to turn everything around". We owe this to our students, and we simply cannot give up on them.

Mrs. Spencer said that she has made good memories at NES, and she has received so much in return from students and staff members. She said that she has learned that you do not have to move someone out of your heart to make room for others. Being in contact with so many wonderful students, it is as if her heart has grown, and she has become a better person herself. "I just love these kids so much", she said.

It is not a coincidence or a surprise that Mrs. Spencer was nominated and then selected to be North Elementary School's Employee of the Year of 2019-20. We wish the best of luck to Mrs. Spencer at the district competition!

Dr. Tuuli Robinson 
Educator and Lifelong Learner