PALM COAST OBSERVER
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PalmCoastObserver.com
THURSDAY, DECEMER 22, 2016
Jennifer Colindres learns with her students
JACQUE ESTES COMMUNITY EDITOR
A time memory recently popped up on Jennifer Colindres’ Facebook page. The memory was her nomination for Teacher of the Year five years ago. Now, Colindres is once again Teacher of the Year for Bunnell Elementary. Colindres was one of those kids who knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I knew from a very young age that I was going to be a teacher,” she said. “I loved learning and always enjoyed learning new topics, and I still enjoy doing that.” Her 26-year career began in South Carolina, where she taught preschool. “My daughter is a senior at FPC, and I moved here when she was 9 months old,” Colindres said. “I taught when she was at St. Elizabeth’s for three years, and 15 years for Flagler Schools.” Colindres has taught at Indian Trails and Rymfire; she has been at Bunnell Elementary for five years. Her enthusiasm is evident in her classroom and in the projects her students tackle. Her classroom is now stacked with the boxes of food the students have collected to help their community. “One group is working on homelessness,” she said. “They collected costumes for kids in need, for Halloween, and it was awesome. They will tell you it was
an amazing feeling to help out.” The students come up with their own ideas for projects. The bus safety group started out as just a “safety group,” and the students narrowed it down to bus safety. Colindres said she uses problem solving techniques to make school interesting. Another group is working on improving the attendance rate. Colindres’ favorite subject when she was a student was math. “I loved to write, but I liked problem solving and challenge,” she said. “In high school we had weekly math Olympics.” This year she is teaching a sixth -grade gifted class for all subjects, but she has taught nearly every subject since she began teaching. “I am infusing Future Problem
Solving into the curriculum,” she said. “Every year, we are doing new projects. Last year I was able to take the Community Problem Solving group to Michigan, where they won two world championships.” Her students seem to feed off her enthusiasm for learning, and her desire to explore new things to learn. “Education disparity, identity theft — we are learning about so many new topics,” Colindres said. “Last year we learned about the global workplace. It just fascinates me to learn about all of these new things.” Colindres will be considered for the Flagler Schools Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Jan. 12.
Photos by Jacque Estes
Teacher Jennifer Colindres works with Joan Bailey and Chloey Rudy.
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Dorothy Leary a long time resident of Hauppauge NY, Palm Coast Fla, and a recent resident of Marlboro NJ, died Thursday September 1, 2016 at Centrastate Hospital, Freehold NJ. Born 1930 in Buffalo NY, Dorothy married Russell Leary and moved to Long Island. She pursued her Associate’s Degree while raising four daughters. Dorothy worked as a Special Education Teacher Assistant and was dedicated to community service. While living in NY she served in the Mr. And Mrs. Club of Hauppauge, Welcome Wagon and the Lion’s Club. In Palm Coast she was active and held leadership positions in The Little Theater and The Audubon Society. She was also a member of the Guild and a Eucharist Minister at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Dot loved to laugh, had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. A devout Christian her faith was evident and practiced in her daily life. She cared deeply for people and relished being a helper to all. Dot loved life and cherished every day. She is survived by her four daughters: Kathy Sweezy of St. Johns Fla, Peggy Leary of Marlboro NJ, Eileen Roggemann of Stony Brook NJ and Dee Hodson of Monroe Ct; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. There will be a memorial service, Friday January 6, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Palm Coast Florida at 11 AM.
Bunnell’s Teacher of the Year keeps her class engaged.
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