Murrieta Valley Announces 2017 Teacher Of The Year: Meet Jamie McConnell

MURRIETA, CA - From the desk of Murrieta Valley Unified School District: Murrieta Valley Unified School District Superintendent Pat Kelley announced Jamie McConnell as the district’s 2017 Teacher of the Year. McConnell teaches at Thompson Middle School where he is also the Associated Student Body (ASB) and Student Activities Advisor.

District Superintendent Pat Kelley said, “McConnell is an educator who impacts student learning well beyond the classroom.”

McConnell has been teaching at Thompson Middle School for 12 years. He believes that providing equal opportunities for every child will help close gaps in academic achievement. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and working with foster youth, McConnell chose to return to college to become a teacher so he could help build a school climate that is safe, supportive, healthy, engaging, inspiring and inclusive.

From helping the ASB leadership classes coordinate school activities, dances and honor roll celebrations to acting as Thompson’s coordinator for the international exchange students from China, Thompson Principal John Fox said, “McConnell is one of the first teachers to arrive on campus and the last to leave.” McConnell is also the school’s Peer Leaders Uniting Students (PLUS) Club advisor. PLUS students hold forums and anti-bullying activities and the students act as peer leaders on campus and the visit elementary schools in the district.

As ASB Advisor, McConnell guides the students’ efforts as they plan activities like “Make a Friend Friday” and dances, and hold meetings following “Roberts Rules of Order.” His students gain valuable leadership experience in all aspects of planning, paying for and executing activities that they hope will get all students involved in school. With 20 active clubs for Thompson students to join, there has been an increase in student involvement and participation in after school activities. McConnell also encourages students to serve in the community and they have organized and participated in walks for the American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Race for the Cure.

McConnell is a member of Thompson’s Positive Behavior Intervention Support team, reinforcing positive behavior and choices and he served as Thompson’s Math Department Chair for five years. In addition to his duties at Thompson, McConnell coaches the Murrieta Valley High School’s freshman and junior varsity softball team.

As District Teacher of the Year, McConnell is eligible to enter the Riverside County Office of Education 2017 Teacher of the Year competition.

For more information, call Karen Parris at (951) 696-1600 ext. 1022.

Image via Murrieta Valley Unified School District