Meet One of Our Exceptional Middle School Math Teachers

We have many fantastic math teachers in CPS, and Ms. Jennifer Getz at Nettelhorst Elementary School is among the best. She started as a volunteer at the school, then became a substitute, and is now teaching middle schoolers. Nettelhorst is also where her two sons have attended, and she’s had the opportunity to teach both of them. 

She is known within her school and network for her fun attitude and warm demeanor. One of her network’s instructional support leaders notes that she has used the Skyline curriculum to help her students grow as learners.  

With the school year in full swing, we connected with Ms. Getz to learn more about her approach to teaching math at Nettelhorst. Read more below.

What keeps you coming back to Nettelhorst each year? 

Of course, my children are a big reason, and I live only half a mile away, so I can walk to school. It’s kind of like Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, where everyone knows each other. Some of my students even live on my block. However, my ultimate answer is my co-workers. The middle school team is very strong and supportive of each other. I also have amazing co-teachers, and we are a great team and a cohesive unit. 

How do you ensure that all students are succeeding in your class? 

My goals are that students try their best, work hard, and learn at least something over the course of the school year. I make sure that my students know that it’s okay to not enjoy math. That can be a breath of fresh air for students who assume that they have to enjoy my class just because I’m their teacher. From there, my other goal is to talk to every one of my students each day. That can be hard when you have over 100 kids, so I incorporate a lot of student participation. I also try to bring a lot of humor and fun into the classroom. 

Your network describes you as witty and fun. What’s your response to that description? 

When I was growing up, I felt like school could be really serious and boring. I know that it’s not supposed to be a party, but I always try to liven up the school day. In addition to using Skyline, I incorporate other resources and games to make learning fun. I’m also very theatrical and use my sense of humor to make the classroom experience more enjoyable for everyone. 

What is your advice to new math teachers? 

Observe as many other teachers in your first year as you can, even if they teach a different subject or grade level than you do. You can even ask your administration to connect you with colleagues who can help you grow. Iron sharpens iron, and having a mentor or accountability partner can be a great resource. As a new teacher, you should aim to be a sponge and soak up everything you possibly can. 

If you could sum up your career in one word, what would it be and why? 

Beautiful. I thought this word was perfect because beauty doesn’t always mean that something is good all of the time. There are certainly ups and downs with teaching. However, instead of focusing on the negative, it’s important to remember the hundreds of kids who love you and learn from you every day. They come to your class with joy and excitement, and it makes all the difference when you bring those qualities to the classroom as well.