Rebecca Jones
CDM Teacher of the Year 2009
Rebecca Jones began her career at Carmel Del Mar School in the Fall of 2002, as an enthusiastic sixth grade teacher. She has proven herself to be compassionate, professional, and articulate, while instilling a love of learning in her students. When students walk into Rebecca’s classroom, they know that she sees them as individuals yet part of a vibrant learning community. She has a unique ability to bring out the best in each child, regardless of capability or talent. She helps students see themselves as learners, responsible for their learning, and focuses on the strengths of each child, all the while teaching to any areas of weakness. For all students, Rebecca uses teaching strategies that call for higher level thinking. Her students engage in problem solving activities and formulate questions at high levels. Rebecca guides them through metacognition techniques, so they can reflect meaningfully on their learning and set high goals for themselves. Throughout her classroom the quality of projects displayed reflects the high level of learning that takes place each day.
Because she genuinely loves children, and loves what she does, her children love what they do.
Rebecca is an outstanding educator who is a valuable colleague willing to share her expertise not only with her sixth grade team, but also with her school site and her fellow teachers across the district. No matter how daunting a task may seem, Rebecca accepts the responsibility for providing additional learning for other teachers. She herself is a lifelong learner and models reflective teaching on a professional level. She does not hesitate to ask herself the same question she asks her students, “How can I do this better?” In answering that question for both herself and her fellow teachers she has presented valuable information through a variety of presentations and district responsibilities. With the organization that defines her everyday approach to teaching, her leadership roles have been meaningful for her colleagues and have enhanced the effectiveness of our professional learning communities. In less than ten years Rebecca has served her site and district in many ways, including her roles in the following:
- CDM staff presentations including Spelling, Guided Reading, and Science
- Literacy Team at CDM (ongoing)
- Literacy Coach 2006-2007
- Site Strategic Planning Team 2005-2007
- DRA Training (2008)s
- District Language Arts Advisory Committee (ongoing)
- District Strategic Planning Team 2005-2007
- District Presenter for Language Arts/Reading
For several years, Rebecca has been involved with an international organization of student ambassadors called People to People. The mission of this group is worldwide peace through understanding, beginning with introducing the youth of the United States to many different cultures and other young people abroad. Rebecca helped train 2 delegations of 5th and 6th grade students from the greater San Diego area, and traveled with them to England, France, Italy, Monaco, and Malta. She brought her extensive classroom management skills and her outstanding background of ancient civilizations which allowed so many teachable moments. Her sense of adventure and her sense of humor made the trips memorable for us all. She has affected students not only in our little community of Carmel Valley, and throughout San Diego, but across the Atlantic Ocean as well!
Rebecca Jones is the epitome of what the ideal Teacher of the Year should ascribe to be: educated, articulate, professional, down-to-earth, compassionate, friendly, ever-learning, ever-sharing, with a passion for her profession and the lives she touches.