Most new Baldwin teachers are just out of college or arriving from other school districts. But English teacher Jessica Mertz has moved from teaching middle school in Baldwin-Whitehall to teaching in the high school.
Mertz taught special education and language arts in seventh grade in Baldwin-Whitehall for 24 years. This year she moved to the high school to teach English and creative writing.
“I have taught only seventh grade throughout my entire career until now, so this is a big change,” Mertz said.
She already has noticed differences in teaching middle school and high school.
“It’s early at this point in the year, but I can say the kids are more self-sufficient and need less guidance. It’s a good transition for me,” Mertz said.
Mertz attended Cal U, where she got her undergrad degree in speech pathology and audiology, and then her master’s degree in education. She developed her passion for language arts early in her teaching career.
“When I first started teaching, I was a special education teacher, and I would go into classrooms and co-teach with other English teachers. From there I found that was my true passion and wanted to continue in that pathway,” Mertz said.
Her goal is to spread a positive message to her students.
“I try to make kids remember that tolerance and empathy are important, and to not be too critical or judgmental of others,” Mertz said.
Outside of school, Mertz is a sports fan for her children.
“My life is sports, and thankfully I love every minute of watching my kids play sports”
