Teacher of the Week uses dance to keep students engaged

Emily Scarlett anchoring/reporting
WALKER, Mich. - 13 ON YOUR SIDE is recognizing another outstanding West Michigan educator. Our newest Teacher of the Week gets her students up and moving to keep them engaged and excited about learning.
Students at Walker Charter Academy could not wait to reveal the surprise.
After walking into a classroom of jumping and screaming students, Jenna Henderson said, “I had no idea. I kind of saw the kids like crouching down. So, I knew once I got to the door something was up, but I had no idea. I was totally surprised and blown away. It was really exciting and a really fun surprise.”
She was born and raised in Mason, not far from Lansing.
“I moved to Grand Rapids for school, and I stayed. I met my husband here and I ended up staying.”
After graduating, it was straight to the classroom.
“I came to Walker when I first started teaching and I fell in love with this school. The community’s great and it’s just a really welcoming environment,” said Henderson.
Stephanie Owens is the dean for grades three through five. She told 13 ON YOUR SIDE she was “just really excited, happy for her. It’s a great honor and it’s well deserved. She’s a well-loved teacher and teammate here at our school.”
“Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a teacher. So, it’s just something that I’ve always had a passion for and working with kids is something I’ve done since I was in high school,” said Henderson. “I just really enjoy teaching and it’s my passion.”
Our camera crew captured students dancing as they learned about the number days in each month.
Henderson said, “We love to do dances, we love to play games that are all based on what we’re learning in class, and it’s a fun way to keep them engaged in the classroom.”
“She also does an exceptional job of creating that culture in her classroom, building those positive relationships with the kids and just really investing in the whole child,” said Owens.
“I really just try to see who they are and what they like and what they enjoy, and I try to incorporate that into my teaching to make it interesting for them and engaging,” said Henderson, who was surprised and satisfied that someone’s noticing.
She added, “Just those little things that might not seem very important, they really just mean the world and it just take a few minutes and just the smallest comment can really make a big difference.”
“(Teachers) give their hearts and souls. They invest so much of their time. I love the opportunity to recognize them,” said Dean Owens. “Just validating their efforts is just a way to show them that what you’re doing really matters.”
Henderson said, “I’m blown away, really. I had no idea. It’s very awesome.”
If you have someone you’d like to nominate as our next Teacher of the Week, just text the word “teacher” to 616-559-1310.
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