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April Employee of the Month: Judi Jahnke, Music Teacher, Thomas Jefferson School
Even after 14 years of teaching music at Thomas Jefferson School, Judi Jahnke has not lost her enthusiasm.
“I like teaching school. I have fun with the kids,” she says. “I hope my enthusiasm comes through to them.” Judi remembers wanting to be a teacher from a very young age, and once she got past her first “boring” music teacher, she realized she loved music, too, and might be able to combine the two successfully. She has.
“Judi contributes much to Thomas Jefferson School,” her nominator said. “In her role as comprehensive music teacher, she prepares students for various musical performances, enhances their knowledge of musical concepts, promotes a joy of singing, and encourages them in learning various instruments.”
Judi teaches music to kindergarten, one section of second grade, and third through fifth graders. She also is in charge of fifth/sixth-grade chorus and a 28-member percussion ensemble of sixth graders. “I wanted to be able to take kids beyond the book in music,” she says. “I wanted to get them in a group where they can play harder music—to challenge them more.”
In addition to her musical talents, Judi loves art, and uses her talent to design invitations for special school events—by hand, not on the computer. She’s also what her nominator calls “an anchor” of the school’s special area team and someone who willingly assists new teachers in the building.
Judi grew up in Schaumburg and attended District 54 and District 211 schools. Her first musical instrument was the organ, then she switched to piano and violin. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music and math from Elmhurst College, and expects to complete her master’s degree in music education from Northwestern University in August. She was a student teacher at Plum Grove Junior High School and a full-time substitute teacher at another district for six months, before coming to District 15 and Thomas Jefferson in her present position. Judi is currently doing a lot of reading for her master’s work, but in her leisure time, she loves travel and photography. She’s been in every state in the U.S. except Alaska, and is especially fond of the Jasper and Banff areas in Alberta, Canada, where she enjoyed camping and wildlife photography.
“Even though Judi does not seek our special recognition, she deserves it,” said her nominator.
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