YAY HEIDI JUAN! Heidi Juan, who teaches English as a second language at Elizabeth Holladay Elementary School, is today’s “Yay of the Day” honoree. Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored her recently at the school.
YAYWORTHY: Nominator Aimee Connolly said: “She makes a difference in the lives of all of her students each and every day! She planned and implemented several Hispanic heritage activities, not only for her English-as-a-second-language students. She came into all six kindergarten classrooms and included all students to provide them with an opportunity to learn about their classmates’ heritage.”
Elizabeth Hartwell said: “Heidi goes above and beyond to meet the needs of all Holladay students, not just the students she serves. She plans meaningful lessons incorporating real-life, hands-on experiences. Mrs. Juan finds a way to make each student at Holladay shine, and feel special and valued. Teachers love working with her and the students do too. She makes us all better humans! Holladay serves one of the largest Hispanic student populations in the county. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Heidi honored Hispanic heritage by visiting all six kindergarten classrooms and teaching our students about the history of serapes, sombreros and the Mexican hat dance. Her lessons were very carefully planned and thought out, including children’s literature, movement breaks, realia and hands-on art activities, as well as incorporating the kindergarten SOLs (ex: patterns and shapes). The students were able to make their own serapes and sombreros! It was incredible that Mrs. Juan included every kindergartner in these powerful lessons — she reached 100 children! She could have very easily taught these lessons with only the children she serves, however it was never a question that she would provide us all with her love of culture!”
Thank you for all you do, Heidi Juan, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!
Heidi Juan of Holladay Elementary
February 8, 2023