It is the end of the school year which means that we will soon have to say goodbye to a few of our favorite teachers. This year, 13 middle school teachers are leaving or moving out of the middle school. Over the final weeks of school, The Direct Message will post an ‘Exit Interview’ that we conducted with each of these educators.
Check out all the Exit Interviews by clicking here: Exit Interviews
Ms. Jami Bolton
Years at AES: 10 years, 2012~2022
Next Stop: Kent State University, Ohio
How many years you have been at AES and what were those years:
I have worked at AES for 10 years, from 2012-2022.
What will you miss most about AES?
I will miss the way that the school community feels like a family. I will miss the beautiful campus. I will miss doing a job I love with people I love.
What is the best part about being a teacher at AES?
The best part about being a teacher at AES is this school is an amazing place to teach because of the students, resources, facilities, and colleagues.
What are your plans for next year and what are your thoughts about this next step? (Please include where you will be and your work plan, if applicable.)
I will be moving back to the United States to attend graduate school. I will be working on a doctorate degree in music education at Kent State University in Ohio.
How do you hope your students and colleagues will remember you?
I hope my students and colleagues will remember that I cared about them a great deal. I hope everyone will remember that I worked hard and that I was kind. I also hope that they will remember I did my job well.
What message would you like to leave for the community at AES?
Work hard. Work hard at being kind. Work hard at what you love. Work hard at what you don't love yet.
What Students Had To Say:
Junha Hwang, Grade 7
What will you remember about this teacher?
I will always remember how passionate she was about her job. She was passionate about music, teaching and us. I could feel her passion and enthusiasm when she was teaching. She helped us one by one and she never was lazy at teaching us. I will also remember how kind she was. She would never shout at us or be mean. The class was always so fun and bright, thanks to her. As well as her passion and kindness, I will never forget how she wore different socks every day for the whole year. She would show us the ‘socks of the day’ and use the words to help us remember rhythms.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about this teacher?
One funny memory is when she told us a story about her family. She often told stories to us which made her feel like a real person, not just a teacher you see at school every day. She would make us smile before concerts to help us be less nervous and that was really nice.
What makes this teacher unique?
A unique thing about Ms. Bolton is how she can build connections with all of her students. Ms. Bolton felt more than a teacher to me. She was like a friend to all of us and I think that helped us develop personal connections with her. I will miss her so much because I had become attached to her over 2 years. I cannot imagine band class without her.
Seunghyeon, Grade 7
What will you remember about this teacher?
Something that will be memorable about Ms. Bolton is that when we had the MS showcase she was the best leader and she helped us a lot to improve our instruments.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about this teacher?
Sometimes she made lyrics that were matching with the beat of a song. That was very interesting and it was the funniest way to remember the rhythm of a song.
What makes this teacher unique?
She can play every band instrument perfectly and I found that so impressive. She is so good when she plays and demonstrates for us.
Vincas Pranevicius, Grade 7
What will you remember about this teacher?
She was able to teach me how to play the saxophone. I never knew that I would actually be able to play an instrument but she was there to teach me and guide me to where I am now.
What is a funny or memorable story that you have about this teacher?
A funny story is when she sang a funny song for us in class to make us laugh.
What makes this teacher unique?
She was able to teach the kids during covid when everything was online. We had no instruments but she was still able to teach us how to make sounds and even play songs with just a pencil.
More from #Junha