Meunier to be Honored as Urbandale Educator of the Year

Jackie Meunier has had many jobs. She’s served in the Navy, operated an in-home day care, worked as a travel agent and a medical transcriptionist.

For the past 11 years she’s been a teacher at Olmsted Elementary School in Urbandale. “It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had and the most rewarding,” she said.

Meunier, who teaches fifth grade, is passionate about helping students build the skills they need to succeed.

And Urbandale is recognizing her commitment, naming her the Educator of the Year. Meunier was surprised with the honor at a school assembly last week and will be honored at the Feb. 2 Urbandale Chamber of Commerce dinner.

The surprise announcement included a bouquet of flowers and balloons, plus lots of cheering kids.

“She was so shocked,” said assistant chamber director Jeana Schultz.  “The kids loved it.”

The nomination — submitted by Olmsted Principal Mark Lane and Superintendent Doug Stilwell — says in part, that Meunier “passionately brings out the best in students and peers. Her students are always eager to share what they are working on. … Her participation in the school beyond the school day with students and in the community is outstanding! Jackie shows the ability to take anything on and try new things, always with the best interest of her students in mind. Jackie is an outstanding educator and leader in Urbandale.”

She is quick to note that she’s part of a strong team; paired with teacher Petra DeVries, the duo have one large classroom where they teach 40 students everything from literacy and math to life science and social studies.

While she credits DeVries with having a strong background in social studies and science, Meunier said her own area of passion is literacy. “We have different strengths and can work off them,” she said of her colleague.

And while Meunier confesses that math was never her best subject as a student, teaching decimals, fraction and other fifth-grade math skills has made her a stronger educator.

“I really had to go back and review a lot of it, and it did come back to me, but it wasn’t easy,” she said. “I can kind of understand where some of the kids don’t (get the subject matter.) And now I enjoy math, too, because I do get through to kids.”

The honor isn’t something she expected, and notes that the district is one bent on improvement.

“Urbandale is a great district to be in, we’re moving forward and trying to meet every student’s needs,” Meunier said.

Urbandale Chamber Annual Dinner

Educator of the Year Jackie Meunier will be honored at the annual Urbandale Chamber of Commerce dinner set for Feb. 2. The dinner runs from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Ramada Tropics Resort and Conference Center, 5000 Merle Hay Road in Urbandale. Tickets are on sale and are $50 per person through Jan. 30. Order tickets through the chamber website: uniquelyurbandale.com.