Educator Spotlight of the Month: October 2021

Image caption: October 2021 Spotlight: Heath Grose

Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana gives a spotlight to a local educator every month by publishing an in-depth interview about their JA experience.

JA: What grade do you teach & where?

HG: I teach 6th, 7th, & 8th grades at South Spencer Middle School and 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th grades at South Spencer High School.

JA: Are you a Junior Achievement Alum. If so, tell us about your Junior Achievement experience when you were a student.

HG: No

JA: How long have you hosted Junior Achievement programs in your classroom/school?

HG: Since 2016

JA: Why did you initially choose to have Junior Achievement programs in your classroom/school?

HG: Back in August 2016, Ruth Wilson, a Regional Manager for Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana, visited me on-site at South Spencer Middle School to inform me of the JA programs and to also see if I would host JA in my classroom.  After reviewing the JA programs, it was clear that these JA programs would assist in students' overall learning curriculums and experiences.

JA: What do you enjoy most about having Junior Achievement programs taught to your students?

HG: The JA programs help students network with community members/possible local employers and build skills that they will use outside of my regular classroom curriculum.

JA: What reason would you give to another educator on why they should have Junior Achievement programs in their classroom/school?

HG: JA programs allow students to connect with community resources and build on skills they will need after graduation.

JA: How do you feel JA relates what you/other educators teach in the classroom?

HG: JA programs reinforce what is taught in core classes.  The students apply skills from the classroom in these JA programs.  Students benefit from hearing similar information reinforced across a broader spectrum: parents at home, teachers at school, local community members based at various businesses, etc.

JA: What value do you feel a JA volunteer provides you and your students?

HG: The JA volunteer is a positive role model for students.  They model behavior that is appropriate for career-oriented futures: punctuality, appropriate dress, communication skills, etc.

JA: What is one of your favorite JA moments?

HG: My favorite JA moments are when the volunteers share their own life experiences....successes and failures.

JA: In what ways has the pandemic changed how JA is being taught in your classroom/school?

HG: The pandemic has limited our lesson plans and games; due to no group work or team collaboration being allowed.