It is the end of the school year which means that we will soon have to say goodbye to a few of our favorite teachers. This year, 17 middle school teachers are leaving and over the next 15 school days, The Direct Message will post an ‘Exit Interview’ that we conducted with each of these educators.
Check out all the Exit Interviews by clicking here: Exit Interviews
Mr. Jason Coleman
8 Years at AES: 2009-2017
Next Stop: Accra, Ghana (Lincoln Community School)
Courses Taught: Humanities, Spanish
What will you miss most about AES?
AES has been an incredible place to learn and grow as an educator. My colleagues are among the best teachers in the world, and they challenge me to become better. The students are awesome and work really hard. They are fun to be around also.
What is the best part about being a teacher at AES?
I often say as a teacher at AES that I’m allowed to practice on the creative edge of my craft. And what I mean by that is I’m supported to do things that are innovative and creative. I’m allowed to get lots of training on the things the educational world is really exited about. I’m just able to do the things teachers love to do without many restrictions.
What are your plans for next year and what are your thoughts about this next step?
My family and I are moving to Accra, and we are going to teach at the Lincoln Community School. We are really exited about it, and honestly we have been so busy to have done tons and tons of thinking about it. It’s an interesting time at AES, as there are lot of things to be done at the end of the year. Right now, we are really sad to be leaving. But as soon as we get over this sadness, the next step will be exciting for sure.
How do you hope your students and colleagues will remember you?
That always a tough question. I hope with fondness, and I hope that my students look back at me and feel like they learned something. I hope my athletes will look at me and feel like they became better. I hope to have created a place in the hearts and minds of the people I have interacted with in these 8 years.
What message would you like to leave for the community at AES?
AES is a special place. Continue to nurture it, and take care of it. Dig to the bottom of what makes this place so special, and continue to do those things.
What the students had to say.
GaYoung Park
What will you remember about Mr. Coleman?
He was my soccer coach for 3 years.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Mr. Coleman?
He made jokes about me in soccer, and tried to in Korean during practice.
What makes Mr. Coleman unique?
His craziness.
Bharat Singh
What will you remember about Mr. Coleman?
I will remember the fact that Mr. Coleman was the teacher that first introduced me to this diverse and incredible language.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Mr. Coleman?
I remember once in 6th grade, Mr. Coleman asked the question, “what does the word ‘bien’ mean in Spanish. Immediately, everyone said good. However, I said ‘well’ which was the correct answer. He came over and put a sticker on my forehead saying ‘muy bien’. That sticker remains on my iPad even today.
What makes Mr. Coleman unique?
He is able to appeal to your interests and make you feel more capable to be a Spanish speaking person.
Amaya Malik
What will you remember about Mr. Coleman?
He is funny. He has a good style of teaching foundational Spanish, and he makes sure that every student understands everything.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about Mr. Coleman?
In soccer practice this year, we were playing a match and he was on the other team. When he got the ball, he accidentally scored an own goal.
What makes Mr. Coleman unique?
He is really good at running, and he is a fun teacher to talk with. He is also one of the few teachers I have who have a beard.
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