Potomac School welcomes new junior high teacher

POTOMAC - Jessica Van Kerkhove is a new junior high social studies and intervention teacher for Potomac School. She looks forward to working with all the students and staff and getting to know the families and the Potomac community.

She completed her schooling from the University of Montana in 2014 with a BA in PSCI/HSTR (Political Science and History), and a Secondary Education teaching certification in Broadfield Social Studies. Van Kerkhove is currently taking classes through MSU-Billings for her elementary education endorsement.

The last four years Van Kerkhove taught math, reading and social studies in Poplar, Mont.

The offered teaching position at Potomac allowed Van Kerkhove the opportunity to continue teaching in a rural school setting, while being close to Missoula.

"After interviewing and meeting, the staff seemed very positive and like [a] work family," she said.

At Potomac School Van Kerkhove teaches social studies to sixth, seventh and eighth grades and does intervention. The intervention is extra support for students in math and reading.

Van Kerkhove finds time management challenging while teaching. "Some days there just isn't enough time in a day to do all the things on my to-do list," Van Kerkhove said. The students all bring her joy as well as the 'aha' moments she experiences herself as well as watching her students attain that goal.

Van Kerkhove lives in Missoula with her husband Ryan and commutes to Potomac School. Outside of school she enjoys reading, volleyball, outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family.