LANSING, Mich. — Jodie Kleymeer, a media specialist from Lake Shore Public Schools, was featured on a recent statewide series about innovation in Michigan classrooms, the BRIGHT series, for the practices she implements in her classroom to address student mental health.
“Honing these life skills can help you have more accurate focus and be more intentional, specifically with relationships. I realized that I had been feeling very disconnected from people, looking them right in the eye and still not hearing a thing they said. Mindfulness was a real lifeline for me to reconnect with people,” shared Kleymeer. “It’s brought me closer to my students.”
Michigan is home to many outstanding educators. Now in its third season, the podcast and blog series from Michigan Virtual — BRIGHT: Stories of Hope & Innovation in Michigan Classrooms — features inspirational Michigan educators known for their innovative approach to learning, what their classrooms look like, how these changes impact students, and what advice they have for fellow teachers looking to try something new. For its third season, the theme of the BRIGHT Podcast is “Three Strategies,” a chance to ask experts in the classroom to distill their wisdom into the top three things they want the rest of us to know.
“Our students have experienced such upheaval, between COVID, a shifting learning environment and, of course, the everyday struggles that a student might face,” said Jamey Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Michigan Virtual. “The ability to connect is so critical – pausing to devote a few minutes to intentional listening and focus gives students the opportunity to practice those relationship building blocks.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a bright light on the opportunities for improvement in our educational system, and the perspectives highlighted in the BRIGHT series will help propel Michigan students and communities forward.
By discovering new ways to grow, Michigan Virtual is committed to learning from local educational leaders and making a difference in education. This means learning how best to leverage face-to-face, blended, and online learning innovations to meet the needs of everyone involved: teachers, students, parents, and schools alike.
“The work Jodie is doing will benefit students for the rest of their lives. By teaching these skills, each student will be better prepared to succeed and thrive,” continued Fitzpatrick.
Read and listen to Jodie’s BRIGHT series feature, and see the full series of interviews. For more information about Michigan Virtual, visit michiganvirtual.org.
