Teaching and Learning are Fun at SJA

According to UNESCO, October 5 is “World Teachers’ Day,” a day meant for celebrating educators worldwide. In the spirit of that possibly obscure but nevertheless worthwhile holiday, St. Joan of Arc is pleased to welcome a brand new crop of teachers to the SJA community. “They bring with them a variety of teaching experiences and immense talent. We are looking forward to all the wonderful ways they will contribute to our student's academic success,” said school principal Craig Scanlon.

Among the new school’s new hires is Emily Ineson (pictured), who recently graduated from Miami University with a degree in Middle Childhood Education. Ms. Ineson teaches middle school math at St. Joan, and her ebullience for teaching generally, and math specifically, has made her an instant favorite with parents and students alike. “She focuses on the positives and the negatives disappear,” joked Shannon Haughey, a St. Joan of Arc preschool aid and mother of two St. Joan of Arc middle schoolers. “Setting aside the math humor,” Mrs. Haughey continued, “I can happily say that both of my girls love Ms. Ineson and I love that they are more interested in math than ever.”

Although Ms. Ineson has only worked at St. Joan of Arc for a short time, she already feels right at home. “I come from a small town in Ohio and even though I attended the public school, our class sizes were very small. The sense of community at SJA is so similar to what I grew up with and I love coming to work in such a familiar environment.” Ms. Ineson also remarked that she is impressed by “the way in which good character, faith, and service is incorporated into the St. Joan curriculum every day.” As for her classes, Ms. Ineson is thrilled to be teaching math at St. Joan of Arc. “Algebra has always been my favorite subject and I do my best to get my students to share my excitement for solving challenging problems…. It's amazing to see a student light up when they finally figure out something they had been working very hard on!” You may not expect to see smiles in a middle school math class, but in Ms. Ineson’s fifth grade class, I observed nothing but smiles as the students learned their teacher’s favorite math rhyme complete with hand gestures: “when dividing fractions, don’t ask why just flip it over and multiply!"

Kevin Jost also joined St. Joan of Arc this year as one of the fifth grade teachers. Mr. Jost is a graduate of National-Louis University, where he received his degree in Elementary Education. On the day I observed Mr. Jost’s class, he was engaging his students in a lively discussion about the most exceptional individuals in history, and what it means to be exceptional. The excitement in the room was almost palpable as students waived their hands in the air, vying for a chance to announce their contender for the most exceptional person -- Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and Serena Williams were among those named (in case you were curious). Social studies is not the only course Mr. Jost teaches, but it is his favorite. “Growing up,” said Jost, “I always found ancient worlds and historical events compelling. And as a teacher, I love to witness when my students realize that the world they live in wasn't always like this, but came to be through the endlessly fascinating combination of geography, cultures, wars, discoveries, and luck that comprises Social Studies.”

Mr. Jost also incorporates technology into his classes. For example, Mr. Jost prepares his students for tests by having them help create and then take quizzes using the Kahoot app. The students look forward to this “game show” style of test review, which makes learning more enjoyable. Fifth grader Caden Hickey summed it up nicely, stating “I like Mr. Jost because he makes learning fun.”

St. Joan of Arc is a Catholic school located in “Sk’Evanston,” Illinois and educating students from age 3 through eighth grade. To learn more about St. Joan of Arc or schedule a tour, please visit our website at https://www.saintjoanofarc.net/school.