Golden Apple: Jen Kelm

The Golden Apple Awards honor those shaping student success and our region’s future through excellence in education.

Eight award recipients will be recognized April 22 at the Golden Apple Awards event, and will also be featured in stories in the Press Times each week leading up to the event.

This week, get to know Golden Apple Award recipient Jen Kelm.

Jen Kelm is a school counselor at Baird Elementary School, helping students in various ways.

She grew up in De Pere, went to UW-Stevens Point for her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology and got her master’s degree in counseling from UW-Oshkosh.

From there, Kelm was a substitute in Oshkosh before being hired at Baird, where she has been for 11 years. She lives with her husband, Adam, and two daughters, who she enjoys spending time with.

Kelm has been influenced by several people in her life. “I admire so many individuals who have made a huge impact on who I am today, personally and professionally,” she said. “And they all have provided inspiration in many different ways. So, I share this incredible award with all those who have been with me on my journey. My family, friends, classmates, professors, colleagues, students and their families; I am so grateful for all [of] them.”

Each of these people played different roles in Kelm’s teaching journey.

The teachers at Baird have helped develop her style of teaching, as “school taught [her] how to be a counselor, not a teacher.”

As for the students, “they challenge me daily,” said Kelm, “but I learn just as much from them as they do from me.”

“As a school counselor, my main focus is the mental health of my students,” said Kelm when asked how her classroom is unique. “While they are learning academics (like math, reading, science, etc.) from their classroom teachers, I bring in the social/emotional and life skills pieces. Depending on the grade, I teach lessons on growth mindset, feelings [and] emotions, problem solving, healthy friendships, calming strategies, respecting personal space, empathy, healthy choices, teamwork, etc. I also work with students individually and in small groups to improve their social emotional skills as well.”

Kelm hopes that, through her teaching, her students become kind people.
“If they have my voice ringing in their ears telling them to take a breath and think, then at least a little piece of what I have taught them is sticking. Of course I hope they take a lot more than that because these kids are our future world leaders, but in those small moments, if they can get through the day and make good choices for themselves and those around them, then I am doing my job. I also hope that they know how important they are, and how much I believe in them. Every single student I have worked with has a positive future waiting for them. They just have to continue on the path to get there.”

As far as advice for her fellow teachers and counselors, Kelm said: “Please know that you are valued. This role has a lot of ups and downs, but you ARE making a difference, even if it does not feel like it. I’d also remind you to prioritize your own mental health. You cannot give from an empty cup. Rest when your body needs it, build up your emotional support system, start or continue a hobby, develop healthy coping skills, try not to take too much home, ask for help and give yourself some grace [and] a lot of credit. It is very difficult working in education, but if you are already here, that means your heart is huge, and that’s what our students need.”