ACT - ACademically Talented
In 1985, Assistant JJHS principal, Mary Tracey, and Bauerwood principal, Wes Bonzelaar, worked alongside a dedicated group of Jenison parents to create a program for students demonstrating evidence of high intellectual and creative achievement capability. The ACT Program (the acronym a variation of ACademically Talented) was the result of their hard work! The ACT class is designed as an academic enrichment pull-out program specifically tailored for gifted and talented children. Meeting each school week, the curriculum promotes advanced academics in the core subject areas of Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, and Science. Third through sixth grade students from Jenison Public, Jenison Christian Schools, or home-schooled students in the Jenison area who qualify for the ACT program are provided learning experiences that encourage them to apply their abilities, creativity, and task commitment to solve personally meaningful problems they encounter in their schools, community, and world.
ACT - Why do we exist?
• To provide an enriched and accelerated program for academically talented and gifted students.
• To provide a responsive learning environment that includes: access to a variety of materials and activities; support for exploration, choice, and student need, and psychological safety for all students. (Based on the research of Dr. Barbara Clark, expert on gifted education).
• To be partners with parents in educating academically talented and gifted children.
• To provide a responsive learning environment that includes: access to a variety of materials and activities; support for exploration, choice, and student need, and psychological safety for all students. (Based on the research of Dr. Barbara Clark, expert on gifted education).
• To be partners with parents in educating academically talented and gifted children.
Meet Dr. Clark
Being a graduate of Jenison Public Schools, it has truly been a joy teaching in this great district that I call home. This marks my eleventh year in education -- prior to accepting the position as the ACT Coordinator/Teacher, I had the pleasure of teaching both the third and fourth grades at Sandy Hill. I am thrilled to be in my fourth year guiding the learning experiences of ACT students! As an educator, it is important to me to open the minds of students to an array of learning possibilities while challenging them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Above all, I want my students to know how special they are as unique individuals.
In May of 2007, I graduated with honors from Hope College. More recently, I completed my Master’s Degree and Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. In April of 2016, I successfully defended my dissertation earning my Ph.D. through Eastern Michigan University's Doctoral Program in Education Leadership. I am very eager to use the knowledge I have acquired through my graduate studies to further enhance my teaching practice and student learning. My ultimate goal is to use my Ph.D. and classroom experiences to write and publish in academic journals and to be a leading voice in teacher leadership, curriculum design, instruction, and student learning.
Now that I am done with my studies, I have been enjoying getting back to all of my favorite hobbies! I love cooking, shopping, getting lost in a good book, photography, traveling, exercising, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends. My husband and I have a precious son named Jameson -- he definitely keeps us on our toes!
The 2017-2018 school year promises to be very exciting. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with all of our new ACT students and families and hearing about all of the wonderful summer adventures of our returning students! See you soon!
Sincerely,
Julie Clark
In May of 2007, I graduated with honors from Hope College. More recently, I completed my Master’s Degree and Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. In April of 2016, I successfully defended my dissertation earning my Ph.D. through Eastern Michigan University's Doctoral Program in Education Leadership. I am very eager to use the knowledge I have acquired through my graduate studies to further enhance my teaching practice and student learning. My ultimate goal is to use my Ph.D. and classroom experiences to write and publish in academic journals and to be a leading voice in teacher leadership, curriculum design, instruction, and student learning.
Now that I am done with my studies, I have been enjoying getting back to all of my favorite hobbies! I love cooking, shopping, getting lost in a good book, photography, traveling, exercising, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends. My husband and I have a precious son named Jameson -- he definitely keeps us on our toes!
The 2017-2018 school year promises to be very exciting. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with all of our new ACT students and families and hearing about all of the wonderful summer adventures of our returning students! See you soon!
Sincerely,
Julie Clark
