Jamestown High School ninth grader Donovan Gomez recently used his cell phone to nominate a teacher as part of the school’s Raider Pride campaign.

Jamestown High School ninth grader, Donovan Gomez, recently used his cell phone to nominate a teacher as part of the school’s Raider Pride campaign. The campaign allows students and teachers to use a QR Code to download a form nominating a teacher or a student who has gone “above & beyond” with exceptional behavior during the month. Students can nominate teachers. Teachers can nominate students and other teachers. If a student does not have a cell phone, they can use a school iPad in their classroom to nominate a teacher.

The JHS Raider Pride Team, who helps promote positive behaviors at the school, created this student and teacher recognition program. In addition to the school’s ticket reward system, in which students receive tickets for positive behaviors, the new teacher and student nomination system gives students and staff the opportunity to be rewarded for their outstanding behavior. Examples of this exceptional behavior include helping to resolve conflict, creating a safe school environment, or noticing a student is alone and asking them to join their group.

“Sometimes kids or teachers go above and beyond and we want to be sure that we recognize these exceptional JHS students and teachers,” said JHS teacher and Raider Pride Co-Coach Barbra Haag. “We have Raider expectations for the entire school in every area. We ask that all students and staff are responsible, respectful and safe. But often, we have students and staff who go beyond the norm to help someone out, and this program honors them.”

The nominations are compiled weekly, and the Raider Pride team picks five students and one teacher each week. The names of these recognized individuals are broadcasted each Friday on the morning announcements. At the end of the month, the student and teacher winners receive a certificate and have a pizza party with JHS Principal Mike McElrath. At the luncheon, they have the opportunity to have a conversation with McElrath about ways to improve the school environment, as well as to let him know what is going well in their school.