WESTFIELD-Juli Jensen-Derrig has taken a leap of faith as she embarks on a new journey – as principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School.
“St. Mary’s is special for more reasons than I can count,” said Jensen-Derrig. “Mainly, our school is like a big family. The teachers know nearly all of the children.”
Elizabeth and Alexander Nadeau stopped in recently to surprise Juli Jensen-Derrig, St. Mary’s new elementary school principal, with a bouquet of sunflowers.
Jensen-Derrig was one of 35 applicants who applied for the position and was notified of her acceptance on July 21. She will oversee early childhood classes through Grade 8.
“Mrs. Jensen-Derrig has been a dedicated educator in our school for the past 17 years,” said Nichole Nietsche, Head of School, in a statement. “She has gained the reputation of being fair, a strong communicator, and as a leader who places the needs of the students as her number one priority.”
Jensen-Derrig echoed those sentiments.
“The role of principal is exciting and challenging for me,” she said. “I want to take my classroom strengths of structure, communication, and compassion and broaden them to the entire school and staff.”
Jensen-Derrig first came to St. Mary’s when she worked for Sylvan Learning Systems 18 years ago – teaching Title 1 reading. At that time, Sylvan had the contract for the diocesan schools. The next year, she was asked to consider the full-time fourth grade position – which she accepted – and has had for 17 years. Over the years she has taught the reading and language arts for grades 4 and 5, while her colleague, Mary Reed, taught math and science. Both women taught their own Social Studies classes. Jensen-Derrig also taught grade 3 spelling and handwriting while the third grade teacher, Jenn VanHeynigen, taught religion to the fourth grade students.
Juli Jensen-Derrig is the new principal at St. Mary’s Elementary School.
“The incoming fourth graders were very comfortable transitioning to a classroom where they had already had the teacher for religion the year before,” she said, adding that the benefits of a Catholic-Christian education are “endless.”
“We have many Christian families that come to our school that are not Catholic,” said Jensen-Derrig. “Our students are held to higher standards and encouraged and challenged to live a life like Jesus. We are able to truly celebrate and rejoice in the true meaning of Easter and Christmas.”
Jensen-Derrig noted that the students have their Catholic traditions reinforced monthly at Mass and daily in religion classes.
“Not just in religion class, but all day, every day, the children see Christian values being modeled by their teachers and faculty,” she said. “We strive to develop spiritual growth, academic success, character and integrity in all of our students.”
Jensen-Derrig said St. Mary’s also provides students with a “better rounded education” because teachers use the IOWA standard achievement test.
“We are not drilling the children to prepare and pass the MCAS,” said Jensen-Derrig. “This allows for more subjects to be taught on a regular basis. Our children from grade 4 up are instructed in both science and social studies every day. That doesn’t always happen in public schools daily.”
As technology continues to play a vital role in all of our lives – St. Mary’s is also at the forefront at exposing children at a young age to computer lessons.
“From a student’s first look at the computer in Pre-Kindergarten to the last day of his/her St. Mary’s School career, students will be taught how to use the computer to perform many different tasks,” said Jensen-Derrig, adding at the pre-K age level, students use a variety of educational software including Reader Rabbit and Dr. Seuss and use a website – ABCMouse.com – once a month.
“In Kindergarten, the emphasis is on learning how to use the different keys on the keyboard and what the ‘job’ of each key is,” she said. “First graders continue to enhance their knowledge of the keys on the keyboard, and begin to delve deeper into the tools used in Microsoft Word through the writing of stories, sentences and poetry.”
Students in Grade 2 begin the task of learning how to type properly, said Jensen-Derrig. “The first glimpse at how to navigate the Internet and the tools and terminology associated with it happens in Grade 3,” she added.
All the computer skills and knowledge acquired by students continues to be built upon and mastered in Grades 4-8, said Jensen-Derrig, noting that Microsoft PowerPoint is used in Grades 5-8 and Microsoft Excel is introduced in Grade 7.
“What the students once knew as Computer/Library is now LTMC (Library Technology Media Center) for Grades 4-8,” said Jensen-Derrig. “We aspire to work collaboratively with classroom teachers to enhance their curriculum and together the library and media center strive to work fluidly toward cross-curriculum research and learning goals.”
What also sets St. Mary’s apart, according to Jensen-Derrig, is that children “know” they can turn to any teacher for support and guidance.
“One of the things I liked most about teaching was when upperclassmen came back to visit me,” she said. “Being such a small family like school allows the teachers to really build a rapport with the children and follow their growth and successes through our school.”
A new endeavor of Jensen-Derrig’s will be a “Donuts and Devotion” get-together on the first Wednesday of each month for the early childhood and elementary staff along with the Rev. Frank Lawlor.
“To help our teachers pause and be grateful and get re-energized, I have started ‘Donuts and Devotion,’” said Jensen-Derrig. “Fr. Frank will be joining us and it is my intention that this brief time will help build positive energy that will then be shared with our students. A new motivational verse will also be handed out each month.”
While attending to the everyday needs of the school, its students, teachers and faculty, Jensen-Derrig will also meet weekly with Lawlor to discuss the challenges and successes that need to be recognized on campus. Lawlor also meets with classes independently in the church throughout the school year to discuss traditions of the Catholic faith.
When the first day of school starts on Aug. 31, Jensen-Derrig said her “amazing” teachers will be ready for a new school year. Kindergarten and early childhood classes will begin the following week. At press time, there are openings in nearly every class from Kindergarten forward and Jensen-Derrig welcomes new families to come and take a tour of the school, as well as discuss tuition fees. Financial aid and parish vouchers are available for those who qualify. For grades 3 and 4, each class has one opening available.
As if on cue, a knock on Jensen-Derrig’s office door during the interview led to a surprise for the new principal. Elizabeth Nadeau, 10, and her brother, Alexander, 8, both students at St. Mary’s, had asked their mother if they could stop in and present a bouquet of sunflowers to Jensen-Derrig. Both students were eager to see her and give her the vase of sunflowers for her office.
Elizabeth Nadeau, who will be starting fifth grade, said she remembered Jensen-Derrig loved sunflowers and wanted to be sure she bought the right arrangement. “She is a nice teacher,” said Nadeau, adding she “loves school and her special friends” at St. Mary’s.
After an exchange of hugs and high-fives, the children rejoined their mother in the corridor who was chatting with other teachers who were in school decorating their classrooms.
“My teachers are amazing,” said Jensen-Derrig. “They could leave here and get paid more money in the public school. We have only certified and licensed teachers who are devoted to teaching the ‘whole child.’ Some of my staff sacrifices to stay here but their love for the children and God come first and they take great pride in the successes of our students, both academically and spiritually.”
Jensen-Derrig also credits the school’s full-time nurse, Patricia Howes, R.N., for ensuring every child receives the medical care and compassion they need, and singles out office manager Karen Parker for working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the office runs efficiently.
“Karen Parker addresses the needs of endless students, parents, and staff every day with a smile,” she said. “I could not do my job without her!”
As Jensen-Derrig continues to peruse an endless to-do list before the first bell rings, she reflects on how fortunate she is to have been chosen for this position.
“I was ready to be out of the classroom and still have a positive effect on children,” she said, adding everyone has been warm and supportive. “I will welcome and encourage feedback and always have an open line of communication which is a huge goal of mine.”
