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 U.S. Space Camp 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).  It was hard to say goodbye to a school where I felt that I had made a true difference in my students’ lives. Accepting another teaching position at a middle school in Apple Valley, Minnesota, made the transition an easy one.  The past seven years I served as a special education teacher here at Coon Rapids High School teachingMath in a small group and co-teaching setting. Outside of school, I love to swim, bike, camp, fish, and travel.  I also enjoy attending concerts at the many venues Minneapolis/St. Paul has to offer. 

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 Schoo 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 receiving 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/