TEACHER SPOTLIGHT – NICOLE RODDENBERRY

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The art of teaching is one that is arguably the most important in the world. When we are very young, we rely on our parents or guardians to teach us basic motor skills, how to eat and how to take care of ourselves. As we gain independence, our teachers in life guide us through discovering the world around us, mastering new skills and habits along the way. Even the most experienced and prestigious professions in the world are only possible with the help of educators. This week, we spotlight the efforts and dedications of one of Jefferson County's very own educators, Nicole Roddenberry.
Roddenberry is an elementary teacher at Jefferson County K-12. She specializes in Reading, but also works as a support educator for ESE for Grades 3-5 and the Age Of Learning intervention program K-2. For Roddenberry, the drive to become a teacher came from her upbringing. Growing up with both parents in the education field, she says it was instilled in her from a very young age to recognize the importance of having an education, specifically being able to read.
“My mother had a saying,” recalls Roddenberry, “'In order to succeed, you must learn to read.'” Growing up, Roddenberry was always among the top readers in her class, and still harbors a love for the subject today.
She has been teaching at Jefferson for the last 20 years, remaining steadfast through the school's recent transition back to the local district control. Of the transition, Roddenberry speaks very highly, saying that the difference in morale alone is night and day. She says she is excited to be working with the new administration, who she describes as “fully invested to getting the school back on track.”
Roddenberry graduated from Madison County High School in 1988 and attended North Florida Junior College and then later Florida A&M, where she received a BS in Education. For Roddenberry, the drive to be the best educator she can be comes from the student's themselves.
“I love to see the growth in my kids,” says Roddenberry. “Not just the educational growth, but the personal growth. You get to see them grow as individuals, and watch as they build on relationships and develop life skills.”
She says she hopes that all of her students learn not just the curriculum, but also how to become confident in themselves, become good role models for their peers and develop and retain their education and life skills that will enable them to be successful later down the line. To help facilitate this, Roddenberry knows the importance of meeting each student where they are, and developing a teaching style that caters to their specific learning style.
“Students learn differently,” she says, “It's my duty to differentiate between learning and teaching styles so I can ensure that each student is learning in the way that best suits them. I'm an energetic teacher, I try to make learning fun. I like to bring creativity to lessons, and am very big on the 'hands on' approach. I also like to allow the students the ability to collaborate with their peers. This builds social skills, and they can learn from one another as well. Kids learn a lot from their peers.”
For Roddenberry, the challenges of being an educator are all made worth it when she sees the growth in her students. “It's a never-ending job. The curriculums and programs are ever-changing and it can be a challenge to keep up with the changes and new training. Teachers are lifelong learners themselves. You have to be prepared, so that you can ensure that the students will be prepared and will have everything they need to succeed. But seeing the growth in your students, the excitement when the concepts and lessons start to click for them or they master a new skill, that's what it's all about. Just to see them grow as people, into little future leaders of society.”
It is this growth that she hopes will continue for her students, even after their time in her classroom is over. “I hope to be the teacher that a former student will come to years later, and say, “thank you for believing in me.”
When she isn't teaching, Roddenberry enjoys spending time with her husband of 25 years, Keith, and their four children. The family enjoys the great outdoors, spending their free time camping, fishing and gardening.
As far as what the future holds for this Jefferson County educator, Roddenberry says she is content to stay exactly where she is, excited to see and be a part of bringing Jefferson County K-12 back to a place of academic success.