- April 30, 2024
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Buddy Taylor Middle School Culinary Instructor Catherine Lynn Jerrells' passions for cooking and teaching go back to her earliest memories.
"I can see myself now struggling to climb up the footstool my grandmother sat out for me in her kitchen. I watched in awe and amazement as she made wonderful dishes from scratch," Jerrells wrote in her application for the Teacher of the Year award. "She taught me more than just how to cook; she instilled in me a larger life lesson. Grandma taught me how the best dishes are the ones that require patience, care, and appreciation for what you are doing. I believe these are the qualities that have followed me my adult life and into the classroom."
My inspiration is sharing my passion with my students — and watching them pass that same passion on to others."
— CATHERINE LYNN JERRELLS, Buddy Taylor Middle School Teacher of the Year
Jerrells' father was also a teacher, and she was inspired by the teachers she had as a child herself.
"I wake up every day and am inspired by the thought that I make a difference in these students’ lives," she wrote. "... My inspiration is sharing my passion with my students — and watching them pass that same passion on to others."
Jerrells began teaching in 2000 in Illinois, then shifted to Buddy Taylor in 2021.
Grandma taught me how the best dishes are the ones that require patience, care, and appreciation for what you are doing. I believe these are the qualities that have followed me my adult life and into the classroom."
— CATHERINE LYNN JERRELLS, Buddy Taylor Middle School Teacher of the Year
At first — being new at the school, not knowing anyone, and being the only teacher in her subject area — she was a bit nervous. She realized that many students felt the same way.
"I remember having a discussion with several of my classes about how we could change their attitude about school and what types of things would help to make them feel more comfortable and welcomed," she wrote. "I mentioned to my classes that participating in sports and other clubs and organizations at school would help them get to make new friends and feel more a part of the school community."
When the students began cooking labs, they became eager to share their creations with family, friends and other teachers.
"Students were joined by their love of cooking," she wrote. "I was starting to feel like more of a part of the Buddy Taylor family. Students stated that they were starting to feel like a part of the Buddy Taylor Middle School family."
Last year, her Eagle Advisory students began making baked treats like cupcakes and cookies to reward teachers and classes for accomplishments. She received a grant to pay for an edible image printer that prints images on cakes.
The students enjoy creating and delivering them in "eagle swoops."
"Today, the Eagle Swoop is continuing to grow. We have recognized our custodial workers, retired faculty, principals, and assisted other clubs," Jerrells wrote. "It is making a difference in our school community and helping all of our students to feel welcome in our school."
