Moorhead High science teacher named one of two Moorhead Teachers of the Year
February 17, 2017
Angie Jelinek’s teaching career began in the hallways of Moorhead High School where she completed her student teaching before being hired to fill a second semester opening in the science department.
“I was honored to be able to begin my career at Moorhead High School,” said Jelinek, who has taught science at Moorhead High School since January 2003. She and Tammy Ressler, a teacher at Robert Asp Elementary School, have been named the 2017 Moorhead Teachers of the Year.
Jelinek graduated from Concordia College and earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Minnesota State University Moorhead. While she has taught many classes in the science department, Jelinek currently teaches physical science and AVID and coaches the Science Olympiad team. After receiving training in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), Jelinek has led professional development for her colleagues.
Jelinek credits many “teachers” she has had in her life, including her parents, teachers, colleagues and students, who have all played an important role in getting her to where she is today.
“Though not formal educators, my parents taught me many things about hard work, responsibility and positive attitude,” she said.
When she was a student teacher, Moorhead High science teachers Jana Kasper and Eric Stenehjem gave Jelinek the opportunity to be in their classrooms and learn from them.
“They helped shape my practices in the classroom from how I organize papers to plan my lessons,” she said. “They even gave me some help in classroom management.”
Many others have helped her work through and learn the art of teaching, Jelinek said.
“They have caused me to be very thoughtful about how I present material and cultivate learning,” she said.
Jelinek has taught in the ninth-grade center at Moorhead High since it was constructed in 2004.
“Ninth graders can be a challenge at times, but there is no better age group for and my personality,” she said. “I believe it takes special people to teach ninth graders.”
Jelinek appreciates the support of her second-floor colleagues.
“Every idea or project I want to try goes through them first,” she said. “From the best ways to teach vocabulary to our March Madness brackets, which became a fundraiser for Churches United, I am truly blessed to work with my supportive team.”
Dave Lawrence, principal at Moorhead High School, considers Jelinek a true professional.
“Angie is a great teacher because she truly cares about her students, and she is always trying to get better as a teacher,” Lawrence said. “She has become one of our building leaders and is respected by her colleagues.”
Jelinek said that even in physical science they talk about life lessons.
“I believe teaching goes much further and deeper than content,” she said. “Some frank and honest conversations with students about life are some of the best memories of my teaching career.”
Jelinek wants students to be more than just knowledgeable about physical science.
“In 20 years they will not remember a proton has a positive charge and a mass of 1 amu,” she said. “They will, however, remember how I was as a teacher. They will remember if I challenged them, was respectful, funny or helped them in some way.”
The Education Moorhead Communications Committee, which selected both Jelinek and Ressler as Moorhead Teachers of the Year, acknowledged Jelinek’s qualities as a teacher.
“Angie Jelinek has many wonderful qualities that make her one of Moorhead’s top teachers: passionate, hardworking, dedicated and valuable team player. Angie demonstrates leadership through her school-wide role as an AVID teacher, professional development leader, and a building representative for Education Moorhead,” the committee said in a statement.
“I love this path and journey I have been on since I was 21,” Jelinek said. “It seems surreal that I have been granted this honor. Everyone at Moorhead High works so hard and cares for students and their well-being.
Photo caption: Angie Jelinek, physical science teacher at Moorhead High School and one of two 2017 Moorhead Teachers of the Year, assists a student in understanding the steps for graphing the results of several calculations done during the class.
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