JHS Teacher Wins $500

Rachel Sturm has been recognized for her commitment to enhancing her classes by investing her time and personal funds. She makes learning interactive with detail. Her students transform used clothing into stunning wearable art, design tiny homes, and educate others about nutrition, all while enjoying numerous real-world lessons. She approaches her work with humor, humility, and kindness, setting a remarkable example of practical knowledge for young adults. Discover more about all our winners at: levo.org/education-blog/levo-recognizes-8-amazing-area-teachers-2025

#ForwardTogether #AdoptAClassroomTranscript:
(0:02) We are so pleased to be able to award a 2025 Adopt-a-Classroom (0:06) award to Mrs. Rachel Sturm, a teacher here (0:10) at Jefferson High School. (0:11) And Mrs. Sturm's nominator, Susie Reese, is out with the flu. (0:15) But standing in for her today is Mr. Dan Conrad, (0:18) who's going to talk a little bit about why (0:20) Mrs. Sturm is amazing.

(0:23) Absolutely. (0:23) So I get the honor of filling in for Miss Reese. (0:26) A few things that were said, Miss Sturm (0:28) is constantly investing her time and personal funds (0:30) to make her classes engaging and hands-on (0:33) by incorporating detailed projects like her interior (0:35) design haunted houses, or fashion design Taylor Swift (0:39) eras, tour fashion show, and a plethora of new technology (0:43) to make learning real.

(0:44) Students in her classes repurpose used clothing (0:47) into beautiful wearable creations, (0:50) create tiny homes, learn about nutrition (0:52) by teaching others about hidden sugars, (0:55) participate in virtual escape rooms, (0:57) and a myriad of engaging real-world lessons. (1:00) She does this all with humor, humility, and kindness. (1:04) I want to come to your class.

(1:06) What are you going to use the money for? (1:07) You get $500. (1:08) I know, I'm so excited. (1:10) One of the big places I'm going to use it (1:12) is we do upcycling projects in both interior design (1:15) and fashion design.

(1:16) So just purchasing some old paintings and things, (1:20) and they want to do like a denim project (1:23) where they're painting denim in, so our denim. (1:25) So just getting supplies for our projects. (1:29) That is fantastic.

(1:30) Well, thank you for teaching our kids (1:32) and making such a big impact on our community. (1:34) Thank you, thank you guys so much.