May 2023 Teacher of the Month
In cooperation with the Mayor's office and City Council, the Rotary Club of Okla. City recognizes an outstanding teacher in our community
Jessica Foley is the Elementary Advanced Academic Specialist and Gifted and Talented Teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, whose primary goals are to ensure that her students leave her room as good humans who are enthusiastic about learning and the world they live in.
Jessica advocates for a shift in how educators approach behavior in the classroom, allowing students opportunities for movement and free choice to empower them when making decisions in the “real world.”
She believes that an outstanding teacher’s reach goes beyond the classroom and she utilizes her background in sociology, human relations, and mental health to form honest, empathetic, and meaningful relationships with students. Each student is an unique individual, with varying strengths and interests. Through career research projects, Jessica nurtures their individuality, allowing students to explore freely and present their work with a method that suits them best.
Jessica takes initiative to build connections between students and the community through participation in the Oklahoma City Memorial Kids’ Run. Furthermore, she demonstrates the value of vulnerability by sharing her experience and the community’s experience with this tragedy and the ongoing journey of healing. Jessica's mother was one of the victims in the bombing.
Jessica was presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a $500 gift from the Rotary Club 29 Foundation AND a $500 gift from the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation in partnership with The Inasmuch Foundation.
