Positive Addition To the Math Department
Experienced teacher, JennieRae Paker, joins as a new Algebra and Geometrey teacher.
By Bibi Sediqi
Experienced teacher, JennieRae Paker, joins as a new Algebra and Geometrey teacher.
By Bibi Sediqi
The growing teacher shortage has impacted schools all around the country, thus leading to students left without a teacher to teach vital subjects, and leaving empty spots in many departments. This year, Pioneer welcomed JennieRae Paker to the math department to fill one of those spots.
Paker has been teaching for 20 years. She attended De Anza college for three years before transferring to UC Davis. She then obtained her teaching credential in history.
“I always wanted to be a teacher, and I liked history, and so that's why I studied history and I got my credential in teaching history,” Paker said.
Teaching wasn’t Paker’s first job.
“I actually worked lots of jobs. I used to deliver newspapers. I would get up at like, four in the morning, and I would get on my bike. And I worked at Jack in the Box, those were my high school jobs. And then in college I worked in a shoe store, and then later I worked in a bank.” Paker then taught special education at Muwekma Ohlone Middle school for 15 years and later switched to teaching algebra.
Paker's recruiting process was also made easier by the fact that she was a part of SJUSD. Pioneer’s positive atmosphere is what drew her to work at the school.
“I was doing middle school for a while and I just decided I wanted to move to high school. It was in the district and then I just liked the location. It's really good and I just heard really good things about the students and the staff. ” Paker said.
Students' reactions to Paker have generally been positive. Estephanyia Gonzalez, 9, said, “her class is really organized, she is super organized like I can find anything I need, like calculators and assignments that I would miss. She's specific with math problems, she helps me when I need it and she explains things well to me. Sometimes I don't get the answer I want, I think she doesn't understand my question but that’s OK she is a good teacher overall.
Joceline Loarca, 9 said, “She's a really nice teacher. She teaches really well. I mean she's strict in doing your homework on time but, she'll give you time for you to do your homework if it's necessary and she's a really good teacher.”
Alex Silva, 9, another one of her students, also enjoys her class.
“She's a little bit strict, but not overbearing, she's a nice teacher in general,” said Silva.
Paker has been helped by a group text thread that the math department keeps, to allow for easy communication.
“We have a group text which includes all math teachers, we communicate with each other if there are any questions or concerns. I have stopped by to see if she needs calculators or anything else,” said department co-chair Zoareh Moaven.
Some things Paker enjoys outside of school are reading and going on new hikes in her spare time.
“When I have a long break I like to travel, so I've been to all seven continents, I've been to over 70 countries.” Paker said.
Paker has been teaching for 20 years. She attended De Anza college for three years before transferring to UC Davis. She then obtained her teaching credential in history.
“I always wanted to be a teacher, and I liked history, and so that's why I studied history and I got my credential in teaching history,” Paker said.
Teaching wasn’t Paker’s first job.
“I actually worked lots of jobs. I used to deliver newspapers. I would get up at like, four in the morning, and I would get on my bike. And I worked at Jack in the Box, those were my high school jobs. And then in college I worked in a shoe store, and then later I worked in a bank.” Paker then taught special education at Muwekma Ohlone Middle school for 15 years and later switched to teaching algebra.
Paker's recruiting process was also made easier by the fact that she was a part of SJUSD. Pioneer’s positive atmosphere is what drew her to work at the school.
“I was doing middle school for a while and I just decided I wanted to move to high school. It was in the district and then I just liked the location. It's really good and I just heard really good things about the students and the staff. ” Paker said.
Students' reactions to Paker have generally been positive. Estephanyia Gonzalez, 9, said, “her class is really organized, she is super organized like I can find anything I need, like calculators and assignments that I would miss. She's specific with math problems, she helps me when I need it and she explains things well to me. Sometimes I don't get the answer I want, I think she doesn't understand my question but that’s OK she is a good teacher overall.
Joceline Loarca, 9 said, “She's a really nice teacher. She teaches really well. I mean she's strict in doing your homework on time but, she'll give you time for you to do your homework if it's necessary and she's a really good teacher.”
Alex Silva, 9, another one of her students, also enjoys her class.
“She's a little bit strict, but not overbearing, she's a nice teacher in general,” said Silva.
Paker has been helped by a group text thread that the math department keeps, to allow for easy communication.
“We have a group text which includes all math teachers, we communicate with each other if there are any questions or concerns. I have stopped by to see if she needs calculators or anything else,” said department co-chair Zoareh Moaven.
Some things Paker enjoys outside of school are reading and going on new hikes in her spare time.
“When I have a long break I like to travel, so I've been to all seven continents, I've been to over 70 countries.” Paker said.