At the Center of it All

Whether the students are walking through the elementary school doors for the first time - or high school seniors walking across the stage for graduation - the JA community of teachers and staff are there to support them every step of the way.

One of the wonderful opportunities JA brings as a K-12 school is that as the students grow together through the years. Among the long-standing staff members of JA, Ms. Angie has been an important member of our community for almost 24 years.

“I have been a part of the JA family since moving here in 2001. I started out as a volunteer sub custodian, and ended up at the front desk,” Ms. Angie mentioned. “I have cleaned, painted, and moved almost everything on both campuses at some point.”

Through the years, Ms. Angie has done a lot for our school. From the time her JA journey began, she has continued to watch our school grow and improve and helped in any way she could.

“They asked me to come into the office to observe Mrs. Aberle for a day, then asked me if I thought I could handle the job,” Ms. Angie commented. “Ten years later, here I am and I love my job!”

Part of what makes a good job is the people you share it with.

“To me being a Jag is being a part of a community that actually respects, cares for, and looks out for one another,” Ms. Angie stated. “I feel like we are a big dysfunctional family. You don’t always get along with or like everyone in your family, but you always care for them, have their backs and at the end of the day, they’re family.”

The people that make up our JA community play an important role in forming our school culture, and make our school a great place, in all of its glory in the past, and for years to come. 

“Two of our five daughters graduated from here. Mr. Bott, my father in-law, worked and retired from JA. Mrs. Bott started JAG Care and retired from JA as well.  Mr. Bott’s parents and uncles went to school in the Elementary building in the 50’s and 60’s when it was Juchem Elementary,” Ms. Angie shared. “Baby Bott, that's what they used to call Clint at the old campus since there were two Mr. Botts, even proposed to me at an all staff meeting in the Commons.”

With JA having roots going back 30 years, the changes that come with time can have an impact on the students and staff alike.

“Things change around here all the time. My duties, job description, who is up front with me and even where I sit have changed multiple times,” Ms. Angie mentioned. “Teachers come and go, admin moves around or changes. I try to roll with the changes, but as some might know I can be a bit stubborn. Sometimes change is good, sometimes it's hard. Life’s hard, get a helmet. Eventually we all figure out how to come together, have a great graduation and plan for another year.”

Despite all this, there can be some obstacles in the way on the road to a better JA.

“The challenges for me recently, other than getting to school on time and my facial expressions, are trying to figure out how to find the patience to get the students that are newer to the secondary to learn respect, manners, to clean up after themselves, keep their 

hands and feet to themselves and to stop arguing with and lying to the humans around them,” Angie declared.

However, by working through these challenges the students can grow.

“My favorite part is hopefully helping you all turn into respectful young adults,” Ms. Angie noted. “I tell the kids to have fun, be safe, and keep your head out of your woo haha. If something happens and mistakes are made, always own what happened and take responsibility for your actions. Apologize and try to make it right.”