By BHAVIN BALGOBIND
Ms. Jillian McKenna is a new addition to Jericho’s English department who loves helping her students grow as writers and readers.
This is Ms. McKenna’s 12th year teaching. She attended the College of Mount Saint Vincent where she majored in English and special education for her undergraduate degree and ENL for her master’s.
Curriculum Associate for English Language Arts Dr. Salzman was impressed with Ms. McKenna’s background in education. He said, “She comes with rich experience as she taught at a Bronx high school for 10 years.”
When Ms. McKenna was in 11th grade, she read “The Great Gatsby.” She was fascinated by the hidden symbols and themes, and deepened her love for reading and teaching by helping her peers with their essays.
Ms. McKenna’s favorite part about teaching is helping her students improve key skills. She feels most proud as a teacher when she sees one of her students making progress. She said, “When a student feels like they accomplished something in my class, whether that’s their writing gets better or they have developed better reading skills, it’s rewarding.”
Ms. McKenna and her English IV students read a graphic novel together.
Ms. McKenna’s first impression of Jericho is extremely positive. She said, “Everyone is so friendly. The students are great and everyone has been really supportive.”
Ms. McKenna’s students have positive feedback about her. Senior Ashton S. said, “She is my favorite English teacher because she is really nice and doesn’t judge people. Also, if I’m not doing well she keeps me on track.”
Senior David J. said, “I like how she is tuned in with the students. I think she’s a good teacher.”
In her free time, Ms. McKenna loves being with her family and traveling. When she visited Cambodia, she delivered dontated supplies for a school that was in need. She said, “The whole experience was eye-opening because they were so grateful. You would think we were handing out laptops when we were really giving regular school supplies.”
Ms. McKenna is also a yoga teacher and a childbirth educator who helps parents through the process of having a baby and navigating the hospital.
Students and administration welcome Ms. McKenna to Jericho and cannot wait to see what she has to add to English classrooms.