Local News

Name: Jeremy Willis

Residence: Southgate, Ky., near Newport

Linda Weisenborn/Cox News Service (ENLARGE)

Jeremy Willis has been teaching 7th grade math at Little Miami Junior High School for twelve years.

Family: "Kelly (wife), Nina (6), Lila (6), Frank (6 months), Tom (6 months) — yes, two sets of twins."

College education/Work experience: "Miami University, B.S. in math education and Northern Kentucky University, M.A. in math education; waited tables in college, construction apprentice in college, Sylvan tutor, Burger King employee."

How long have you been teaching? 12 years

Where do you currently teach and how long have you been teaching there?: "I have taught all 12 years at LMJHS, coached junior high football for five years, coached junior high track for 11 years."

What subject and/or grade do you teach? "Math, seventh grade."

Why did you decide to become a teacher? I am really good at math. I think I explain things pretty well. And I very much enjoy working with kids, especially at this age level."

What is your teaching philosophy? "I feel that students deserve as much respect as possible. I can remember the horrible time I had in junior high school and I think it was the low point in most people's life. These students have so much to worry about these days and have so many demands placed upon them. I try to be easy going as much as possible. I am confrontational only when necessary. I have found students respond well to this. I expect excellence on a daily basis and try to be an excellent teacher in turn."

Who or what inspires you as a teacher? "The students who are the unsung heroes inspire me greatly. There are the popular kids and the troubled kids that garner most of the attention. I try to focus on the kids who go about their business and wouldn't normally say much in class. I suppose because these students remind me of myself at that age."

What are your professional goals? "I am considering pursuing a counseling degree, but I would be happy teaching math in the seventh grade at Little Miami for the rest of my career."

Personal interests: "I enjoy computing, music and collecting CD's (my collection numbers over 1,000), reading (mostly nonfiction), and history. I follow politics quite a bit. I enjoy carpentry. I finished my basement with minimal experience. Everything I needed to know I found in a book. Most of my time is taken up with my family. I also enjoy watching NFL football. My favorite team is the Miami Dolphins."

Classroom success story: "I am very proud of my students last year and their achievement on the seventh-grade math achievement test. I think it was a good example of teacher and students working together towards a common goal."

"Many people ask me why I drive so far to teach here. I always tell them I drive past a hundred schools where I could get a job on the way here, but this is an excellent district to teach in. And the people (kids, parents and colleagues) I encounter are wonderful."