Janice Daubenmier & Debby Kent
Hastings Middle School
Upper Arlington, OH

"Each of our students represents a thread in the fabric of our classroom. By weaving the unique life experiences, talents, and curiosities each offers, we create a distinct tapestry with each class of students, one that meets the needs of and celebrates the successes of all learners."

"In retrospect, I benefited not only from two gifted and creative educators, but from their collaborative approach. Mrs. Daubenmier and Mrs. Kent established a rich, nurturing learning environment. I flourished. They have created a formula for success for students."

Janice and Debby believe that experience and integration should be used to enhance student ownership of learning. "Our students need to experience what they are learning in a memorable way so the concepts are available for future connections and scaffolding," says Debby. "Throughout the year, we provide students with activities that include eating boiled lettuce in Anne Frank's attic and selling punctuation marks in language arts class, as well as 'digging for gold' in chocolate chip cookies and becoming delegates of the Constitutional Convention in history class," says Janice. By working as a team to integrate the humanities disciplines, they create innovative learning experiences that promote connections and global understanding in their students

Other Highlights:
Debby's Activities/Honors/Awards

• Hastings Teacher of the Year, 1994-95
• Upper Arlington Special Educator of the Year, 1991-92
• Mentor to new teachers at Hastings for the past seven years
• Past chair of Language Arts Department
• Advisor to Hastings Writers Group
• Coach of competitive writing team - Power of the Pen
• Judge of NCTE Secondary Education Magazine Contest
• Member of District Differentiated Instruction Committee
• Washington, DC Chaperone
• Develop and implement collaborative model of special education
• Develop and implement Writer's Lab using parent volunteers with in-service support of the Writing Center Director of The Ohio State University
• Develop, implement, and support Language Arts Skills Enrichment class

Janice's Activities/Honors/Awards

• Portfolio evaluations for Otterbein College, 2001-present
• Upper Arlington Innovation Council, 2000-present
• Eighth Grade Team Leader, 2000-2002
• Hastings Building Planning Team, 1998-present
• Interview Committee for principal of Hastings, 2001
• North Central Evaluation Committee, 1999-2000
• Upper Arlington District Planning and Development Council, 1998-2000
• Co-Coordinator of the Washington, DC Trip, 2001-2002
• Dance Chaperone, 1996-present
• School Musical Participant, 1999-2001
• Ski Club Lead Chaperone, 1996-2001
• Washington, DC Chaperone/Lead Chaperone, 1996-2001
• Nominee for Hastings Teacher of the Year