Medford teacher earns national honor
Jerome Johannes, pictured behind the podium in his Medford High classroom, recently received an award recognizing his work as a Student Council advisor. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
Medford High teacher, advisor, and coach Jerome Johannes does not have to go far to see the success of his former students–four of them are Medford Elementary teachers.
In his 20th year at the school, he is head football coach, coaches track, and advises both the National Honor Society and Student Council. His 18 years of work with the latter group recently earned Johannes special recognition.
During the National Association for Student Activities advisors conference in Boston, he was recognized as the Central Region Earl Reum Award winner, one of eight U.S. honorees. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions in the training and mentoring of student activity advisors.”
Johannes has worked with the Minnesota Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies for over 10 years and works as a State Advisor with teachers who are new to the advising role.
He said his involvement at the division, state, and national levels came about when he realized that Student Council was much larger than the local group.
“I attended Division meetings, got into the state organization, and started bringing kids to the national conference,” he said. “I met advisors from all across the state and the nation… Just being able to share with other leadership organizations spoke to me as a teacher.”
Leadership is at the core of what Johannes brings to MHS, where he has worked since his graduation from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
“I really enjoy it here,” he said. “I really enjoy the leadership aspect. The school has allowed me to expand Student Council and teach leadership as a class. They’ve taken care of me and allowed me to grow as a coach, a teacher, and an advisor.”
Johannes believes every student has leadership skills and works to reveal those strengths in each student. The ultimate reward for him is watching them succeed, “whether it’s putting together a successful pep fest or seeing them on a state or national board.”
“As students get involved, they are setting themselves up for success later in life,” he said. “I help them see the qualities they already have, the skills they have.”
Getting them involved at higher levels also provides big benefits for students, Johannes believes. As they collaborate and have conversations with students from other communities, they gain a more global mindset–and the notion that they can solve problems not only in their own schools, but in the community and, ultimately, in their careers.
“It’s all about student collaboration… and having conversations with other individuals who are experiencing things differently,” he said.
Schools typically share common problems, like generating school spirit and encouraging community service. Many of Medford’s Spirit Week and pep fest ideas, games, and fundraising activities come from those conversations.
Students recently knocked it out of the park with an idea that came from the state level: a Giving Week, set during the school’s Snow Week. Using the state service project “Go Green” theme, kids raised $1,500 in one week for a group that cleans up local waterways.
“They learn how to run an organization, they see what other schools do,” Johannes said. “Not everything fits, but at least we try it.”
What kids gain most from involvement up the line, though, is the personal connections they make.
“I think the coolest thing is some of the friends they meet… they’re still friends in college and down the road,” Johannes said.
In nominating Johannes for the Earl Reum regional award, State Executive Director Doug Erickson said, “Minnesota is fortunate to have an individual who brings consistent leadership training to student leaders and advisors across the state. Our organizations benefit from Jerome's expertise in leadership development.”
For Johannes, the award means more than just a personal recognition, although it’s “a nice nod to the years of service to Student Council and to be recognized amongst peers for the work we have done in Medford.”
However, he added, “I’m nothing without the students, administration, and staff that’s here, and the work we put into things, the opportunity to make impacts… that’s what the award speaks for more than anything.”