Once upon a time, Jennifer Paton was a dance teacher, running a whole studio by herself. Today, almost six years later, she’s a teacher again. This time, however, she’s teaching seventh grade Social Studies instead of Jazz.
With new students to teach, Paton is settling in for a year full of geography, culture, and history.
“I like it a lot so far,” Paton said. “The kids are energetic and excited.”
After running Stockbridge’s then local studio, Jazzy Jens, for 10 years, Paton handed over ownership to get her degree in education. During these transition years, Paton worked as an office and teacher assistant at Dansville High School, where her 3 little boys attended.
Last year, Paton made the swap from Dansville to Stockbridge, coming to work as an office assistant here instead. Paton expressed that she liked the Stockbridge community so much that when a teaching position opened up, she interviewed for the spot.
This year Paton made the official switch from assistant to teacher, securing the position of our new seventh grade Social Studies teacher.
This is Paton’s first year teaching, stationed in room 118 down the Junior high hallway.
“I like the staff here,” Paton said. “And I just like Social Studies, I could make them read maps everyday, but they get bored.”
Paton isn’t the only one excited about her new position, however, her friends from the office were excited to see her advance in her career. They knew Paton has been striving to teach in a classroom for a while now and were happy to see her succeed in her goal. Although, they will miss seeing her everyday. She was known for bringing a lighter atmosphere to the office.
“She could just like dance on a moment’s notice,” Secretary Julie Weiland said.
Paton is excited to press on in her career and continue to teach what she loves, whether that be Social Studies or dance. As once said by Poet Anatole France, “The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards.”
