DEED Spotlight on Jennifer Helge at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School, Juneau Borough School District

Jennifer Helge, a special education teacher with Juneau Borough School District (JSD), teaches 6-8^th grade at Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School.  Mrs. Helge teaches mathematics and language arts to those students achieving in the first percentile. She and her husband, along with their six children, moved to Juneau, AK in mid-October, and since have enjoyed exploring trails and learning more about the surrounding culture. Mrs. Helge recognizes there are a myriad of opportunities to learn about the new terrain and environment, and creating relationships centered on trust with students and families.  

Mrs. Helge wants students to engage in realistic and relevant math equations so they can answer the question, “When will I ever use this?” themselves. Additionally, applying the skills outside of the classroom is a way Mrs. Helge looks to connect family traditions and math.  Mrs. Helge desires to empower students and give them a voice by creating a “virtual” holiday meal.  

The class began the process by first creating a spreadsheet of equations and solved those equations to determine the cost of a homecooked Thanksgiving or holiday meal. The students selected family recipes and recorded the foods they enjoy as part of a holiday feast. The middle schoolers created lists, tallied costs, and calculated ingredients. Then the students used Zoom to virtually visit the local grocery store to look at the actual prices of the foods that would make up their planned meal.  

Mrs. Helge explained, “In the end, the students were amazed how much math is used in real-life! Plus, they suddenly had more gratitude for those in their families who actually prepare the holiday meal!” 

Throughout this learning experience, Mrs. Helge discovered the traditions of students in the community, and shared some of the Helge family traditions as well. Mrs. Helge stated, “This was an amazing way to connect with my students and build a relationship, which will endure virtual learning, many transitions, and more traditional lessons.” 

Thank you, Mrs. Helge, for creatively exploring ways to learn more about the students’ experiences and traditions, deepen connections with families, and highlight the functional uses for math in everyday life.