The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, in partnership with Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, contributed $15,000 to provide a new reading book selected by the school to every student at Adelaide Lee Elementary. Adelaide Lee Elementary opened their doors partway through the year when Shidler Elementary was forced to shut it's door. the remaining money went to support their book bus and provide bi-lingual books to families and students with multiple languages spoken in their home. To kick off the project, Club 29 Rotarians helped the students of Adelaide pick out their book of choice and write their name in it to take home.
Club 29 Rotarians were also out in force to staff the Relay Exchange 2nd stop for the Memorial Marathon. It's our 3rd year staffing this Relay Exchange and one of our favorite service projects!
Jessica Foley is the Elementary Advanced Academic Specialist and Gifted and Talented Teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, whose primary goals are to ensure that her students leave her room as good humans who are enthusiastic about learning and the world they live in.Jessica advocates for a shift in how educators approach behavior in the classroom, allowing students opportunities for movement and free choice to empower them when making decisions in the “real world.”
She believes that an outstanding teacher’s reach goes beyond the classroom and she utilizes her background in sociology, human relations, and mental health to form honest, empathetic, and meaningful relationships with students. Each student is a unique individual, with varying strengths and interests. Through career research projects, Jessica nurtures their individuality, allowing students to explore freely and present their work with a method that suits them best.
Jessica takes initiative to build connections between students and the community through participation in the Oklahoma City Memorial Kids’ Run. Furthermore, she demonstrates the value of vulnerability by sharing her experience and the community’s experience with this tragedy and the ongoing journey of healing.
Jessica was presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a $500 gift from the Rotary Club 29 Foundation AND a $500 gift from the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation in partnership with The Inasmuch Foundation.