Golden Apple: Jessica Landseadel
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Jessica Landseadel teaching AP Biology.
Miller School has been fortunate to have Jessica Landseadel on our staff since 2007. Jessica has served many roles during that time, starting as a part-time teacher and resident faculty member to her current position as a full-time teacher, Science Department chair, and lead resident faculty for our girls dorm. Throughout her long tenure, Jessica has always put students first. In the words of one of her students “she is always happy and has a smile on her face and seems like she loves teaching my peers and myself.”
In the classroom, Jessica is the epitome of an excellent teacher. She approaches every class, whether it is regular Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or AP Biology, with the same goal-- to engage students with the subject matter, help them develop a passion for science, and find the best way for each individual student to succeed. Jessica’s calm demeanor and positive attitude quickly wins over her students, even those who may not see themselves as “science types.” Her students see her as approachable and available to help them understand the material. As one student put it “she is really caring and helps me a lot with my questions.” Not only is Jessica available for extra help during daily office hours, she will come in on weekends to work with students in our Saturday Morning Study Hall or tutor the girls in the dorm after hours. Her student-centered approach to teaching is inspiring to her colleagues and deeply appreciated by students and families.
Jessica has the ability to make science fun for her students. The “mystery element” is a much loved activity in which students compete to identify an element based on clues that Jessica gives them. The labs that she designs for her classes not only provide students with hands-on experiences tied to the topics they are learning, but they are engaging as well; students are excited to see if an egg can fit through a beaker or to figure out their blood type. Jessica has applied her love of science during our WWOWW program, when she has offered courses on topics such as forensic science and body modifications.
The strengths Jessica brings to the classroom are also evident in our girls dorm, where she serves as the lead resident faculty member. Jessica understands that for our boarding students, the dorm is their home and she works to make the girls feel as comfortable as possible and to build a community that functions like a family. Jessica comes up with engaging activities for the girls to do together, takes them on trips, and offers herself as a sounding board or source of comfort when they are struggling. She provides mentorship to our student resident assistants and helps them learn how to be leaders in our community. Jessica has also included our boarding girls in activities with the Girl Scout troop she runs, which allow our students to be mentors themselves.
In every aspect of her role, Jessica is an exceptional educator.
