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Education

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Teaching Turkey: Simonds Elementary School Principal Janice Samuels (center) looks over a Thanksgiving meal plan prepared by fifth-graders Samantha Schill (left) and Karissa Louie. Samuels swapped places on Nov. 13 with fifth-grade teacher Robi Jonas, who acted as principal for a day.

Simonds school principal goes back to classroom teaching for the day

By Anne Gelhaus

It's been eight years since she's been a classroom teacher, but Simonds Elementary School Principal Janice Samuels was able to pick up where she left off when she swapped places with fifth-grade teacher Robi Jonas for a day.

"It's nice to know I still have it," Samuels said after the Nov. 13 swap, orchestrated by a group of parents from Jonas' class.

The parents bid about $280 at Simonds' walkathon and auction last month to have their children's teacher be the one to trade places with Samuels. Parents could also bid on other "teacher treats," items such as dinner or a movie with a student. These items brought in $5,825 of the $39,000 raised at the auction, with all proceeds going to Simonds programs.

While Jonas took care of business in the principal's office, Samuels laid out a lesson plan she'd used when she was a classroom teacher. Using print ads from grocery stores as their guides, Jonas' students broke into small groups to plan a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for less than $50. Each group then presented its menu plan to the class.

"Whoever presented the tastiest meal that came in under budget won the competition," Samuels said.

At lunchtime, Samuels walked with the fifth-graders to nearby Mountain Mike's for some pizza. While students were anticipating this trek, Samuels said, many were still focused on their own menus when it was time to go.

Samuels made sure her lesson was educational as well as fun.

"We're always trying to do things where students work in cooperative groups and do real-world math," she said. "I got the idea for the project when I was teaching. I used to do it every Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so I knew it was one that students enjoy. I hadn't done it for eight years, but it's still good.

Samuels said she definitely wants to auction off her teaching services again next year, preferably for more money.

"Hopefully, word of mouth will get it out there, and we'll bring in a little more dough next year," she added.