JPS-TV and the Jeffco Schools Foundation are partnering to present this special series, honoring Jeffco Public Schools students and teachers of extraordinary character, leadership, and strength.
Meet 2016 Jeffco Hero Award honoree Scott Ramsey who is one of four Jeffco Public Schools teachers being recognized by the Jeffco Schools Foundation for their extraordinary character, leadership, and strength.
Walk at your own peril, it’s passing period at Oberon Middle School. There at the corner of I’ve got to get to my locker and I’m late for class stands the “Great Mr. Ramsey.” That’s not a name he came up with, students and colleagues at Oberon gifted him with it. That easy going style isn’t for show, it’s just Scott Ramsey’s way of relating to the students – whether in a hallway or in his eighth grade math classroom.
“I believe that eighth grade math is barrier for most students. They make decisions that will affect their entire life based on their eighth grade math experience; they decide whether they’re good in math or bad at math based on their eighth grade math experience,” said Ramsey.
That drives Ramsey’s motivation to be the kind of teacher that isn’t a barrier for kids.
“I just want to make sure that I’m a stepping stone and not a wall,” he said.
Humor plays a big part in his teaching, including a bunch of great Mr. Ramsey sayings like hot snot on a biscuit, which he fully admits is completely ridiculous. There’s also the “chicken of destiny,” a stuffed animal that decides student seats.
“I try to make the classroom a fun place. I get down at the kids’ level, and just being able to banter back and forth with them and lead them thinking in a way that’s at a much higher level, it’s just a ton of fun,” explained Ramsey.
Puzzles and Rubik’s cubes help round out the inventory of Ramsey’s tricks to keep students engaged and on-track. However, the fun is never at the expense of learning.
“He works very hard in his classes, and he will add jokes but we do take it pretty seriously, too,” said Oberon eighth-grader Clay Woodalll.
Somehow, Ramsey has found just the right mix and it’s earned him tremendous respect from other Oberon teachers who not only value his skills but seek out his advice and feedback. That’s led to another name for the Great Mr. Ramsey – a teacher’s teacher.
“He provides very safe feedback, modeling, and gentle pushes to his colleagues,” explained Oberon Principal Tara Peña. “He’s very comfortable to go to…a great thought partner, a great sense-maker, he’s very wise.”
Ramsey believes that if he has professional knowledge that he can share with his colleagues, it can save them from a learning curve and free them up to be better at what they are teaching.
“I like to be that go-to person because I think if I help the other adults in the building, I’m helping the kids,” said Ramsey. “It’s very empowering. I feel a great rush just working with the kids.”
Ramsey hopes to continue to get better at what he does, continuing to teach the next generation math skills, and inspire them to go on and do great things.
“It has been such a pleasure and an honor to work with [Scott]. You make me not only want to be a better educator and a better principal and a better leader, but also a better person. I’m very proud to see you accept this honor. Congratulations,” said Peña.
Watch the JPS-TV version of this story here.