Jennifer Clodi of Hazelwood West High School is the District Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012.
Clodi, who teaches math, including pre-calculus and honors pre-calculus, began her career with HSD in August 1993. She has experience teaching pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, integrated math, Algebra I and Algebra II. She was a student teacher at Hazelwood Central High School, a teaching assistant at Hazelwood West, and then taught at Hazelwood Junior High School before returning to Hazelwood West. She left the District in 2004 after getting married and moving to the Kansas City, Mo. area. She returned to HSD in 2007.
“I have tried to acclimate myself to the idea, but still can hardly believe I was chosen as the District’s Teacher of the Year,” said Clodi.
HSD named two runners up for the District Teacher of the Year honor – Bonnie Waldrop, eighth-grade communication skills teacher, Hazelwood West Middle School; and Patience Henry, first-grade teacher, McCurdy Elementary School.
Each school selects an honoree and the District selects Support Staff of the Year honorees from nominations. A recognition ceremony will take place on February 2 during the HSD PTA Council Founders’ Day program.
“I am extremely humbled and honored. It is surreal. I honestly feel that since I was chosen as Hazelwood West’s Teacher of the Year, it has inspired me to be better. I have a strong drive to try to live up to what people have seen in me to make them want to choose me for the honor,” said Clodi.
Clodi has a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary mathematics from the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated magna cum laude. She has a Master of Arts degree in secondary mathematics from Webster University, earning honors for outstanding achievement.
She chose a career in education due to examples set before her by others.
“As a young person, I had exceptional examples around me who enabled me to learn what it was to be an advocate for children. I was raised to embrace differences in people as a way to learn and grow,” Clodi said.
“Through the influence of my parents, I saw how proper care, guidance and teaching helped me learn. My grandmother, a pre-school teacher and church youth leader, lit a spark in me as I watched how she was able to relate to and inspire children. This foundation led me to want to become a teacher.”
She explained what she likes best about being a teacher, and a math teacher.
“I love working with kids. Every child is unique and every day is different. Sometimes it’s a very challenging career. However, I revel in the fact that every day I can have a positive impact on the lives of my students. The thing I didn’t count on when I started is just how much they would touch my life as well. I am so blessed to be a teacher,” she said.
“Being a math teacher is pretty unique. There are so many people in our country who think math is really hard or something you ‘get’ or ‘don’t get.’ I am committed to eradicating the phrase ‘I just never got math.’ You would never accept that thought about any other subject, but somehow we have allowed it to be okay to say that about math. I am so excited when I help a student understand something with which he has struggled. I love watching them progress and grow,” Clodi continued.
“I am truly humbled by this honor. I am grateful to my students for enriching my life, and to my husband, Jeff, for his love and support.”
More than a teacher, Clodi is a founding member of The Jeweltones, a singing group comprised of five women who perform locally. Last year, the group recorded and produced their first CD. She has a passion for music and theatre, and has performed with the St. Louis Chamber Chorus and the Cornerstone Chorale and Bass. She has held leading and chorus roles with several community theatres. She is an active member of her church, is an ordained elder and deacon, and is on the Endowment Board, one of many commissions she has served, and she has sung with the church choir for nearly 20 years.
The HSD 2011-2012 building Teacher of the Year honorees are:
Armstrong Elementary School Tammy Roberts
Arrowpoint Elementary School Novella Mutz
Barrington Elementary School Michelle Jones
Brown Elementary School LeNiece Elliot
Cold Water Elementary School Nancy Marxkors
Garrett Elementary School Destiny Reddick
Grannemann Elementary School Monica Johnson
Jamestown Elementary School Jennette Foster
Jana Elementary School Jennifer Moldafsky
Jury Elementary School Amanda Curry
Keeven Elementary School Stephanie Johnson
Larimore Elementary School Michael Nobile
Lawson Elementary School Sonya Volk
Lusher Elementary School Lisa Williams
McCurdy Elementary School Patience Henry
McNair Elementary School Rob Iezzi
Russell Elementary School Jenna Finazzo
Townsend Elementary School Angela Haberstroh
Twillman Elementary School Nicole Reh
Walker Elementary School Katherine Clooney
Early Childhood Education Regina Mayhew
GALACTIC Erin Skelly
Hazelwood Central Middle School Tara Vuagniaux
Hazelwood East Middle School Myronna Pryor
Hazelwood North Middle School John Mazar
Hazelwood Northwest Middle School Christina Smith
Hazelwood Southeast Middle School Andrea Hayes
Hazelwood West Middle School Bonnie Waldrop
Hazelwood Central High School Katie Allen
Hazelwood East High School Richard Bly
Hazelwood West High School Jennifer Clodi
The HSD 2011-2012 Support Staff of the Year honorees are:
Tiffany Vaughn, Safety and Security
Bonnie Speiran, Child Nutrition Services
Harry Goff, Building Aide
Gloria Reed, Custodial
Jacob Burger, Custodial
Rick Walter, Custodial
DaVonna Young, Clerical
Alecia White, Clerical
Patty Payne, Clerical
Christian Bertel, Nurse
Jan Root, Professional/Technical
Karla Holland, Social Worker
James Lucious, Transportation