What is a WaveMaker? Someone that incites action or activity.
Elementary School
Jamie Smith
Kindergarten
I'm a WaveMaker because...
I am voting for Jamie Smith because she is all around awesome! She is a team player and will help you even on her busiest day. If she doesn't have a way to help you with your issue, she will kindly do her best to guide you in the right direction. Mrs. Smith is kind to her students and her colleagues. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to work with Mrs. Jamie Smith.
Jamie is one of the most dependable people you will ever meet. She is a quiet leader and encourager. There have been many days over the last four years when she has shared an encouraging word, email, or prayer with me, and some of those very things are what carried me through that day. She exudes goodness and patience, which is especially important when teaching kindergarten. We are going to miss her in retirement but wish her so much happiness and joy in the days to come! We love you, Jamie!
~Nominated by Kristin Nolan and Admin Team~
Middle School
Ashley Arnold
Career Tech
I'm a WaveMaker because...
I nominate Ashley Arnold for Wave Maker of the Month. Ashley gives our students so many opportunities to learn skills that will benefit them in the real world.
Ashley excels as a Career Exploration and Business/Marketing teacher. Her ability to make complex subjects engaging and accessible is unparalleled. She goes above and beyond to connect with her students, guiding them through valuable lessons that prepare them for the future, whether they are interested in pursuing business careers or exploring other fields. Ashley’s passion for teaching is contagious, and she creates a learning environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
This year, her students have designed, created, and sold buttons for different sporting events—learning about marketing, design, budgeting, and sales along the way. She also brought the Global Reach and Teach project to GSMS, where students planned and hosted a school-wide concert from start to finish. From organizing logistics to promoting the event, students were in charge of every detail. Watching them take ownership and light up with pride as their projects were shared with the school and community is what makes teaching so rewarding.
Ashley is always looking for the next creative, meaningful way to engage her students, teach them skills for the real world, find their passions, and help them shine! For all this and more, she is truly a WaveMaker!!
~Nominated by Kristen Weaver~
High School
Leta Stephens
ACT
I'm a WaveMaker because..."
Mrs. Leta Stephens is an absolute rockstar! I've known Leta on a personal level for a few years, but didn't know much about her as an educator until this year. Leta was swamped for several months preparing for our juniors to take the ACT in March. Not only is she teaching ACT prep throughout the school day, but she also put in so much work to make sure our students, and junior teachers, had everything they needed during our ACT bootcamp that lasted several weeks. Her effort was not only seen, but proven, after our students made significant gains with this year's test! While she was in the middle of the ACT push, she was also in charge of all of the prom decorating! She was constantly placing orders, working with the junior class officers, unpacking boxes and enlisting students to assist in building decor in her classroom. And of course, prom went off without a hitch! Mrs. Stephens is a huge asset to our students, but an even better coworker. I know it's cliche, but she truly is a joy (and quite comical) to be around on a daily basis!
~Nominated by Leah Cooper~