Teacher of the Year Cyndi Jensen, left, with the Margery Cooper, President of Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Cynthia Jensen, a science teacher at Gateway Regional High School, was named 2013 Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Jensen was honored at the organization’s Annual Fall “Greening the School” Conference on Saturday, November 9, 2013.
“To be recognized by the Board of Mass Ag in the Classroom is very special to me,” Jensen said. “I have become very invested in their mission and plan on continuing my involvement by assisting with the summer program or providing useful workshops for other teachers.”
In a letter announcing the award to Gateway officials, Executive Director Deborah C. Hogan wrote, “Cyndi first came to the attention of our organization in 2011 when she participated in our Summer Graduate Course, spending the summer learning about agriculture and education on farms across the state. We were so impressed with the many ways that Cyndi connected the farm tours and learning experiences to opportunities for her students in the classroom.”
Hogan also reported that Cyndi shared her knowledge of pollen in forensics with other teachers at their 2012 winter conference, and organized and presented a farm fiber workshop for other teachers at her home in Worthington. Participants met her angora rabbits and were able to try their hand at spinning, weaving and felting before touring a local fiber farm. Jensen has also raised bees and chickens.
Gateway Principal Jason Finnie found the honor to be well deserved. “Mrs. Jensen is an embodiment of the life-long learner and a shining example for our students,” Finnie said. “We congratulate her on this recognition.”
Cyndi teaches Biology, Biotechnology, Anatomy & Physiology and Forensics at Gateway Regional High School. She is an avid gardener at home and also helped start a garden at Gateway in 2004. She received a BA in Biological Sciences and English Language and Literature from Smith College in 1996, and a MA in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2001. She has been teaching at Gateway Regional High School since 2001.
