Blue SpringsSchool District

Jennifer Medina

Cordill-Mason Elementary

May 2022

Jennifer Medina is our May Employee of the Month. Jennifer teaches the STRETCH program at Cordill-Mason Elementary and works with students from every elementary school in our district.

Jennifer’s STRETCH classes have been perennial finalists in the Battle of the Brains STEM challenge sponsored by Burns and McDonnell. This year, her fourth graders’ project, “Earth Rocks,” took third place overall, earning $20,000 in STEM grants.

Over the years, Battle of the Brains teams under Jennifer’s guidance have earned more than $70,000 in grants and placed as high as second. Ms. Medina has had a team place in the top 20 of the competition since its inception. Jennifer’s accomplished students have also placed and won the Smithsonian’s National Invent It Challenge.

Cordill-Mason principal Todd Nurnberg said Jennifer’s classroom is a creative hub and one where students can shine.

“Jennifer Medina is without a doubt an extraordinary teacher who brings out the maximum potential of her students on a daily basis. Walking into her classroom is walking into a whole new world. As a building principal, I find myself wanting to sit down and be a part of the planning, creating, and implementing, and at the same time, I don’t want anything or anyone to interrupt the creative process that can be seen and felt in Jennifer’s classrooms.

“Her passion runs much deeper than just her students and curriculum. She is an educator to parents who have exceptional students. She understands her students in such a way that she is a resource in communicating, learning, emotions, environment, and routine.”

Jennifer challenges her students and herself every day. She created a summer STRETCH camp to coincide with summer school, she sits on most every committee at Cordill-Mason, and she reads 100 books of her choosing each year while putting out a top reads list for interested staff members.

STRETCH Aide Angela Helmer has worked with Jennifer for five years. She said Jennifer is not only a key resource for her students, but also to fellow staff.

“I watch her captivate the STRETCH students with exciting and innovative subjects that keep them curious and engaged. The staff at CME as well as other teachers and friends often ask for her expertise in many avenues, respecting her knowledge and ideas. I feel fortunate to be a part of Jenn’s process & to work with my friend each day. The Employee of the Month recognition is well deserved.”

Congratulations to Jennifer, our May Employee of the Month.