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Ciolek honored with Excellence in Education award from school board

Jordan Ciolek has been teaching fourth-grade at Hattie C. Warner Elementary School for the past nine-years and was recently awarded the Excellence in Education award from the Jessamine County Board of Education.
“I have been blessed to spend all of these years at Hattie C. Warner Elementary,” Ciolek said. “Specifically, I teach math, reading, writing and science.”
Ciolek said she knew she wanted to be a teacher after she realized her greatest moments, where she felt the most joy in life, came from spending time with children. Teaching, she said, was a natural fit for her.
“I love having a job where I can make a difference in my students’ lives and be a positive role model for them,” Ciolek said.
Ciolek was also awarded the Teacher of the Year award during the 2018-2019 school year from Hattie C. Warner Elementary. She describes her teaching style as engaging, energetic, optimistic and determined.
“I push my students each day to reach their highest potential,” Ciolek said. “Through love and respect, I get to know all of my students on a personal level to ensure that I am meeting all of their needs. My students drive my instruction, and I work hard each day to make sure that my students know how much I love and care about them.”
Seeing her students achieve their personal goals is her greatest reward, Ciolek said. Realizing how valuable her students are as individuals has been her favorite teaching moment to date.
“I love seeing the look on their faces when they achieve their ‘light-bulb’ moment,” Ciolek said. (Such as) the moments where I have celebrated with kids coming out of the pass program and jumping academic grade levels.”
Ciolek commutes to teach in Jessamine County from Richmond where she lives with her husband Mathew, son Camden and their Labradoodle Dallas.
“When I started teaching, I lived here in Nicholasville,” Ciolek said. “After getting married and moving to Richmond I have continued to work in Jessamine County despite the forty-five-minute drive. Jessamine County Schools is where I belong.”
On the weekends, Ciolek said she enjoys playing volleyball, reading and watching movies. In the future, she said she looks forward to seeing where the Lord moves her in education.
Having her master’s degree, Ciolek said she ranks first in school guidance counseling and loves to encourage and help fellow teachers who would be interested in becoming a district coach.
“I feel blessed to be the Jessamine County Elementary Teacher of the Year,” Ciolek said. “Along with all of the teachers at Warner, I have always gone above and beyond to ensure all students learn, feel loved and are respected. I am very honored to be considered for the Excellence in Education award. In Jessamine County we are a family working to make all of our students successful. I would be thrilled to represent our school district at the state level as I truly believe our district is a top contender that deserves recognition.”