Spotlight on: Brooke Jones
September 2025 High School Teacher of the Month
The Student Council decides monthly student and teacher awards with a specific category each month. The category for September 2025 was “leadership” for both students and teachers.
The Senior Student of the Month awards go to two seniors per month who are nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-11.
The High School Teacher of the Month award goes to one teacher per month who is nominated and voted on by Student Council members in grades 9-12. All Teachers of the Month become eligible to become Teacher of the Year in June.
The September 2025 Senior Students of the Month are Landon Ploss and Avery Allen, and the September 2025 High School Teacher of the Month is Brooke Jones.
Below is a Q&A with Brooke Jones:
Q. What does being recognized as Teacher of the Month for leadership mean to you?
A. When the students give recognition for anything that I help with at the school, it is a reward in itself. As a teacher at Herkimer, I often try to make their high school experiences positive and memorable. Being an alum of Herkimer, and a former student leader, I am thankful that I can continue to help the students find their unique leadership skills that make them independent visionaries as they leave our school.
Q. From your perspective, what are the most important qualities of an effective leader in a school community?
A. I believe that the most important quality of a leader is being a role model for everyone who you interact with. Displaying leadership is being positive in tough situations and being strong on the inside and out. Going out of the way to connect and motivate not only the students but even all the staff, parents and community members.
Q. Could you share an example of when your leadership positively influenced students or fellow staff members?
A. Throughout my years teaching 12th grade English, there have been countless moments when my leadership has positively influenced both students and colleagues. Guiding students to discover and learn more about themselves has been particularly rewarding, and I often see the impact when they seek my support and guidance. It is incredibly meaningful when former students approach me in public to share their successes after high school, knowing that I played a small part in their journey. Likewise, supporting fellow staff members—whether by offering guidance in challenging situations or helping them navigate decisions—has been equally fulfilling.
Q. Who or what has most influenced the way you approach leadership in education?
A. My approach to leadership in education has been most influenced by my students and colleagues. Throughout my career, I have learned valuable lessons from everyone I have worked with, and those experiences have shaped the way I lead. My goal as a leader is always to create positive outcomes for the students I serve. I take great joy in motivating students, supporting their growth and helping them develop into the people they aspire to become. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that my leadership can have a meaningful and lasting impact on their lives, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Q. How do you inspire and develop leadership skills in your students?
A. I inspire students by nurturing their natural curiosity and guiding them as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. As they approach adulthood, students often have many questions about their future, and I use those questions as opportunities to help them develop both practical skills and a growth mindset. By encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and explore new challenges, I help them build confidence, resilience and the ability to lead themselves and others. Leadership for students is not just about knowing what lies ahead, but about embracing uncertainty, taking initiative and discovering their own potential to achieve far beyond what they might initially imagine.
Q. What guidance would you give to other educators who are interested in taking on more leadership roles in their school or district?
A. I would encourage fellow educators to embrace leadership roles because of the profound and rewarding impact it has—not only on our students, but on our colleagues and the wider community. Leadership allows us to witness the growth and potential of students in ways that extend beyond the classroom, providing them opportunities to develop skills and confidence they might not even realize they possess. Taking on leadership is not limited to formal titles—any educator can lead by stepping forward in challenging situations, offering guidance to both students and colleagues, and fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. By embracing these opportunities, we can positively influence our school culture, support our peers and model for our community what strong, thoughtful leadership looks like. Ultimately, being a leader is about service and impact, and it is incredibly fulfilling to contribute in ways that extend far beyond the lessons we teach.