Mr. Salaban & Ms. Jarosz: Staff Role Models of Our D117 Portrait of a Graduate on D117 Day!
In honor of “117 Day” today on January 17, I am thrilled to highlight two exceptional District 117 educators who truly embody our D117 Portrait of a Graduate. This feature, the first of a regular quarterly series, focuses on LCHS Social Studies Teacher Alex Jarosz and ACHS CTE Teacher Jon Salaban. I was honored to sit down and interview both of them in their classrooms yesterday. Through their unique approaches and dedication, they serve as shining examples of the competencies we aim to instill in all of our students by the time they graduate!
Mr. Salaban: “Techie Nerd” Champion of Collaboration, Critical Thinking, & Emotional Intelligence
For the past 19 years, Mr. Salaban has been a cornerstone of the ACHS community, teaching Woods, Small Engines, CADD, and Electronics classes. A National Board Certified Teacher, he exemplifies the "collaborates" competency, which calls on us to "inspire and motivate others through the sharing of ideas toward a common purpose," "take responsibility for self and team through shared, focused leadership," and "actively listen to discover mutual understanding by providing and receiving feedback." His hands-on, team-focused projects—such as plywood & mousetrap catapults, go-karts, drones, and 3D-printed airless basketballs—encourage students to work together creatively and effectively.
During the pandemic, Mr. Salaban went above and beyond by delivering project kits to each of his students’ homes. The students’ overwhelming response to these home visits drove home their desire to build and collaborate, even in a virtual environment, showcasing his commitment to fostering teamwork. These efforts not only helped students develop technical skills but also strengthened their ability to actively listen and work cohesively in teams, fulfilling the essence of the "collaborates" competency.
As a teacher who teaches elective classes he says he is always aware of the need to collaborate across the school community to make students aware of his classes so they know the opportunity is available and choose to enroll. He intentionally designs team projects that are very visible, so other students see go karts in the parking lot and drones in the commons and get curious about CTE! Every summer he researches new projects by networking with CTE teachers from across the country to come up with new projects each fall that are current and relevant to our students.
Mr. Salaban also emphasizes our "is emotionally intelligent" competency. He shared that being aware of his personality in the classroom and showing empathy toward students is central to his teaching philosophy. By "building and sustaining strong, healthy relationships with peers and adults" and "practicing responsible decision-making while considering impact on others," Mr. Salaban inspires his students to thrive emotionally and academically. Many graduates credit him with sparking their passion for problem-solving careers, further reflecting his ability to nurture critical thinking, which "leverages curiosity to identify and solve problems while taking intellectual risks."
Ms. Jarosz: Immigrant Advocate of Communication, Courage, and Diversity
Ms. Jarosz’ journey to teaching was shaped by her own experiences as a young immigrant from Poland. Inspired by influential educators in her childhood, she now brings that same inspiration to her students at Lakes, where she has taught U.S. History and AP European History for seven years. Ms. Jarosz exemplifies the "communicates" competency, which challenges us to "articulate ideas effectively using clear and concise oral and written communication," "initiate and sustain meaningful conversation acting with empathy and respect," and "consistently work toward developing an understanding of audience and self."
Her classroom is a vibrant hub of dialogue and exchange, with discussions and activities designed to ensure all voices are heard. By fostering an environment of meaningful communication, she helps her students develop confidence and empathy in their interactions, skills they will carry into their future endeavors.
Ms. Jarosz also embodies the "is courageous" competency by maintaining high expectations for her students and designing assessments that emphasize “establishing a claim and supporting it with evidence." This approach nurtures students’ ability to "create, monitor, and reflect upon ambitious goals," preparing them for success in challenging academic and professional settings. Her assessments emphasize students being able to support an idea with evidence, as opposed to just selecting the right answer on a multiple choice question.
Additionally, Ms. Jarosz champions the "embraces diversity" competency of our Portrait of a Graduate by sharing her family’s immigrant story when relevant within the curriculum. She shared that she remains mindful of her own biases as an immigrant daughter of factory workers, but models sharing her family’s proud history as a way to encourage the students to engage and voice their own perspective. By "actively working to develop empathy for others" and seeking to bring all student voices to her classes, she ensures an inclusive and affirming environment. As she shared, her mission is to make all students feel “recognized, important, and capable.” The impact this mission has had is unmistakable. She recently had a former student reach out to her who is now in a teacher’s preparation program because of Ms. Jarosz inspiration - surely the first of many!
Celebrating Excellence on 117 Day!
Ms. Jarosz and Mr. Salaban epitomize the values of our Portrait of a Graduate, from collaboration and communication to courage, embracing diversity, and critical thinking. Their dedication inspires not only their students but also their colleagues, reminding us all of the profound impact an educator can have. On this 117 Day, let us celebrate their achievements and continue to learn from their exemplary practices!