Champlin Park High School International Baccalaureate Programme

Welcome! My name is Jamie Weisz and I am excited to start my EIGHTEENTH year as a special education teacher.  I am originally from Bismarck, North Dakota and I am a graduate of Mandan High School. I attended the University of North Dakota from 1997 to 2003 earning my B.S. in Elementary Education and M.Ed. in Special Education. In the summer of 2001, I furthered my educational and leadership skills by working at the United States Space & Rocket Center (NASA Affiliate) in Huntsville, Alabama.  As a Space Camp Counselor, I had the privilege of instructing children of all ages, even adults, about the history of space exploration through lectures, hands-on activities, and space shuttle simulations. It was the best summer job, ever!  I spent my first seven years of teaching in Cadillac, Michigan (near Traverse City, MI) then moved to Minneapolis teaching in Apple Valley and Faribault. The past seven years I served as a special education teacher at Coon Rapids High School teaching math in a small group and co-teaching setting. Earlier this summer I accepted a special education teaching position at Champlin Park High School. I am excited for this new opportunity to apply my skills and experience to make this a successful school year for your student. Outside of school, I like to swim, bike, camp, fish, and travel. I also enjoy attending concerts and sporting events at the many venues Minneapolis/St. Paul has to offer. 

 

March 2021: National Football League Inspire Change Initiative (volunteer position--description coming soon)

 

 

In October 2020,  I sat down with Dave Schwartz from NBC affiliate KARE 11 to have a conversation about ways in which I have motivated and connected with students outside the boundaries of teaching and classroom instruction during these unprecendented times in education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MV6llKRwqo

 

 

During the 2017-2018 school year, I was asked by our administrative team at Coon Rapids High School to serve as the "Kindness Coordinator" to promote a culture of kindness in our building by implementing and overseeing student led kindness activities.  My kindness efforts were featured in the May 2018 issue of Reader's Digest in addition to being recognized with awards at the local and national level. Throughout the year I also coordinated various celebrity messages for students to watch on our daily announcements.  Here is a video with introductions of all the individuals followed by their kindness message:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeHCUFZXyBM&feature=youtu.be

 

 

In July 2020, Reader’s Digest did a follow up article titled, “These 12 Nicest Places in America Will Tug at Your Heartstrings” which highlights my schoolwide kindness efforts during our Kindness Matters campaign.

https://www.rd.com/list/best-towns-in-america/

 

 

In February 2021, Minnesota Educator magazine did a feature story about my creative approach to motivating students during distance and hybrid learning.

https://www.educationminnesota.org/news/minnesota-educator/2020-21/01-21/Special-ed-teacher-motivates-students-with-special

 

 

VIDEOS I HAVE COORDINATED FOR MY STUDENTS DURING DISTANCE LEARNING

 

A special thanks to Lenny Daniels (President of Turner Sports), Ben, and the NBA on TNT crew for coordinating this video with Shaq, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5uZJq7HXDs

 

GEICO Gecko video message courtesy of The Martin Agency  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olXVZSVrA0c

 

My friend Eric was one of the original members of No Doubt before leaving the band to pursue a career in journalism. He has shared many great stories about his No Doubt musical journey which started when he and his high school band friends decided to start a musical group, record an album and tour the U.S. in rented vans (barely making enough money to cover gas expenses). Eric is featured a few times in the No Doubt "Running" video (one of my favorite No Doubt songs) below at 3:29, 3:45, and 3:51.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61jDtTO5xRU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H2l9Lo-jPk&ob=av2e

 

Thanks to the NFL on FOX crew (Curt, Terry, Howie, Michael, and Tony) and the producers for working with me  and using my script for this video message. REBELS playbook = my classroom expectations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu87BIiErd8&fbclid=IwAR0G02N8yT_WxOq2HwA6TRTjeb2Z3n2CFdJCsrVYchZK9bge8BoOSQWWloA

 

Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings made this great video during his rookie season and also sent a nice handwritten note for my students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Digtf-5L0WI

  

Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild was a guest speaker in my classroom when he was a freshman at the University of North Dakota in 2002. Zach has been a great supporter of my program ever since by signing a few items for my students each year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V91Leq8CB0&fbclid=IwAR2VcIg214z3BNM_f-YCoDmBmNdQKMaUBupZzwbvo3v-ZvD9n9Vvzw23IqA

 

Alexis Lafraniere was selected as the first overall pick on the 2020 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers after a standout career in the Quebec Major Junior League.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVZGtT4SAwo

 

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles is arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time. Thanks to Simone and he reps for coordinating this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAAiuccrLPk

 

Jessica Long is one the most successful athletes in Paralympic games history. Below is a video message she made for my students as well as the Toyota commercial she was featured in during the 2021 Super Bowl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oczqFwtbRg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWG5_7nwyk

 

David Barnett (CEO/Inventor-PopSockets) was a guest speaker in my math class (via ZOOM) in November 2020 which was a lot of fun for students to learn about his invention and future products being marketed. A special thanks to Michael Zakin (Vice President of Social Impact at PopSockets and a former Golden Globe winner for "Mozart in the Jungle") for taking time out of his schedule to coordinate this great video message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkV0C9yAUZE

 

North Dakota native and actor Josh Duhamel is a good friend to my cousin, Scott. Josh filmed a movie a few years ago titled "Buddy Games," and my cousin, along with a group of friends, made a brief cameo appearance. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCsfAs0s5QA

 

The movie “RUDY” is based on the real-life events of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger and his passion and persistence to accomplish a dream.  All his life, people told Rudy he’s not good enough, not smart enough, not big enough.  But nothing stopped his passion for playing football at the University of Notre Dame. Check out the video message from RUDY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx19tIwZRH4