April: Staff Spotlight Honorees: Peters & Revolinsky

 

JIHAN PETERS

When Garfield Middle School teacher Jihan Peters went to college, she had no intention of becoming a teacher. However when her roommate came home raving about her student teaching program, she decided to switch majors. Thirty-six years later, Jihan still feels that excitement about her calling as a math teacher.

“I still love it,” says Jihan, who will retire at the end of the school year. “I love preparing lessons, I love coming up with activities, and to see that light bulb go on.”

Jihan’s sixth-grade colleagues admire her so much that they all came together to nominate Jihan for this honor. Teacher Maggie Bacher, who submitted the nomination on the sixth-grade team’s behalf says “Jihan works tirelessly to ensure her students are prepared, setting high, but achievable expectations for her students. As her last year on our team, we couldn't let her go without one final celebration of what a talented and monumental educator she is.”

Jihan is grateful for the strong support of her colleagues and humbly says she is “only as good as the people who surround me. We lift each other up for the good of the child.”

Jihan has spent her entire career at Lakewood, teaching middle school students, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. “It feels like home,” she says. “It’s been an honor and a privilege.” Certainly, Jihan’s colleagues feel the same way about working with her at Garfield!

 

 

EILEEN REVOLINSKY

A trip to the school health center is often one dreaded by students. Not so at Harrison Elementary, where health aide Eileen Revolinsky greets everyone with a smile and a caring and empathetic heart. 

“It’s not a terrible thing to have to go to the health clinic when Ms. Eileen is there,” says Mary Ellen Fink, one of Eileen’s many nominators. “She is loved by all the children.”  The snacks and water bottles she buys with her own money to give to students who visit are an added bonus.

After years as a stay-at-home mom, Eileen decided five years ago to put her RN degree to work and applied for the health aide position, a perfect fit for a mom still with school-age kids. As someone who doesn't like to sit idle, Eileen is always looking for ways she can help beyond the health center walls. She recently volunteered to assist with the startup of the school’s new book vending machine and frequently gives school secretary Terry Moreman a hand.

Eileen’s joyful presence is felt throughout the school building and particularly at the start of the day when she greets students at the door, masks in hand in case someone is in need. “It’s my favorite time of the day,” says Eileen. “I just love seeing every student come in and give them a smile.”

It’s not just the students who benefit from Eileen’s positive attitude. Harrison teacher Mary Day sums it up best:  “She goes above and beyond to make everyone at Harrison feel special and cared about.  We are so lucky to have nurse Eileen.”