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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
KATHLEEN JASPER
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JEAN AMODEA
Special to the Banner
Who: Kathleen Jasper
Position: Reading teacher; cross-country and track coach
School: Estero High School
Principal: George Clover
Athletic Department Director: Jeff Sommer
Education: B.A. Florida State; postgraduate study towards an M.A. in Public Administration at FGCU
Talk to Kathleen Jasper, one of the new coaches slated for the new school year at Estero High, and she’s brimming with excitement and energy as she prepares for her new post as cross country and track coach.
“I am honored that coach Sommer is sharing cross country coaching chores with me, since that is his baby. We both handle the team, we train heavily off-season and usually taper off a bit during the season when events are held.
“He has taught me so much about how to train using the 3 D’s, which are ‘dedication, discipline and desire.’ That, plus hard work, is the winning formula,” Jasper said.
Indeed, Jasper credits coach Sommer with her personal success and the achievement of her own career goals.
Jasper met Sommer when she wanted to increase her personal running speed. She joined his early morning running club and was hooked. She improved her time at a 5k run from 30 minutes to 21 minutes.
Up at 5 a.m., the group, which includes not only students, but also parents and even Sommer’s kids, trains every day including weekends.
The dedicated and respectful group, Jasper said, works hard to please coach Sommer, and they respond positively to his encouragement and incredible support.
At first, working as a substitute teacher, Sommer urged Jasper to pursue a post as reading teacher. She took his advice and went on to become the reading department head. As department head and an academic coach, Jasper loves her job and is devoted to her tenth grade-reading students. Her goal is to help them prepare for success with the FCATs, given in the sophomore year.
“I work with reading challenged students with an intensive reading program. Some of my students have been struggling with reading or do not fully speak English and I give them what I hope will be the edge during the testing,” said Jasper.
Jasper is now working towards her master’s degree in public administration.
If you know of a student or teacher with a special achievement, contact Jean Amodea at jean@entertainmentdirect.org
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