MAIS Junior High Teacher of the Year

Lee Waits, Math Teacher

HUBERT WORLEY

BY RETA HAIRE

Head of Junior High

Visualize a teacher wearing a yellow hardhat dancing with her arms in the air and all the children singing along enthusiastically. Lee Waits maintains this high level of energy every day with seventh graders who adore her. She teaches so effectively by making memories that students can make connections in math from all kinds of silly songs and sayings. Children flock to her room early in the mornings and stay late in the afternoons. The atmosphere is incredibly positive and lots of fun. There are big bright circles on her wall with pictures of all her past classes. She has a wall of fame where she celebrates high scores. And the couch in her room is the best place for talking to friends or relaxing. Papers and tests are scored with bright colored pens, and there are always lots of positive comments and big smiley faces.

From her resource students to her gifted MathCounts competitors, Lee finds a way to teach each child on their level, to make math relevant, and to push them to reach their greatest potential. She doesn’t accept “this is hard” or “I can’t” in her room. She will text mamas, daddies, tutors, or anyone else who has an interest in the child, because she truly believes in each child.

Lee’s coworkers describe her as full of energy, passionate, dedicated, hard-working, creative, and determined. She advocates for her students, is passionate about their success, and is determined to help her students understand the concepts of junior high math. One of the new teachers said, “She has been a wonderful mentor to me, always willing to help with honest and practical feedback and advice.” Lee is a team player and works extremely well with her colleagues.

We want every child to have the very best experience when they enter our school in the seventh grade. Without hesitation, the administrators and math department chair decided to ask Lee to teach all seventh grade math classes. We knew every child and parent would be grateful for the very best first year of math. She is such a strong teacher that no matter where we place her in the schedule, her students will be prepared for any course through junior high and high school.

As Head of the Junior High at Jackson Prep, I would describe Lee Waits as an “investor.” Lee completely invests herself in her job from the moment she steps in the front door of the school until she leaves in the afternoon. She never gives up on students, is always willing to go the extra mile for them, and gives of her personal time before and after school to work with them. She makes sure that every student knows they are valued and loved. The return she receives on her investment is excellent mathematicians, grateful parents, and devoted students.

HUBERT WORLEY LISA PATTI OF PATTI PIX PHOTOGRAPHY