5/27/2021
Education and Outreach
In the midst of distance learning, one student at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts described online learning during the pandemic as “difficult,” with great hardship in staying motivated.
Well, with one exception.
“I have found throughout this semester that online school is much more bearable and enjoyable because of Mr. (Jamie) Huston,” the student lauded of the English teacher. “I look forward to his class every day, because I know he'll make my day. He tells jokes to keep our spirits up, has a very positive attitude, and somehow manages to make online school fun.”
This gives just a glimpse of Huston’s unforgettable teaching style.
He constantly injects humor and optimism every day — not only with his teaching, but also in personal outreach to students, as well as schoolwide initiatives that elevate morale.
Huston even shares his mirthful attitude when describing why he teaches.
“I really love language and literature, and I enjoy working with the energy of young people,” he says. “Also, of course, it gives me access to those sweet, sweet cafeteria lunches. Tater tots forever!”
Now a teacher for 21 years, Huston says he developed his jubilant teaching approach from a revelation that students need to feel safe and nurtured in order to thrive.
“I try to perform at 110 percent for them, because I know that people can engage better when they know that we love what we do,” he says.
In light of his uplifting efforts, The Smith Center honored Huston as one of the top 20 teachers for its sixth-annual Heart of Education Awards, honoring outstanding Clark County School District (CCSD) teachers. Thanks to support from The Rogers Foundation, each honoree received a $5,000 cash award, a medallion and a $1,000 donation to their schools.
“It feels like a huge validation,” Huston says. “I hope that it will help advance my efforts to spread good feelings throughout our whole school district.”
Keeping Kids Upbeat
Every day in Huston’s class, students can expect a barrage of thrills spanning knock-knock jokes, motivational videos and rocking to ‘80s anthems.
“Novelty and humor are actually very powerful learning tools,“ Huston explains. “Don’t we all respond to an energetic environment? Don’t we invest deeper in things when the people in charge like us and are having a good time, too?”
Huston spreads joy outside of his own classroom, too, including his Make Some Student’s Day event encouraging teachers schoolwide to do something that lifted a student’s spirits.
He also schedules ongoing meetings with students just to check in and chat, and regularly calls parents to tell them their students are “wonderful people, that I’m glad to get to know them,” he says.
At the end of a recent school year, he started an online group, Our Most Awesome Summer Ever, where he and students kept in touch after school ended.
“We continued to share thoughts and links and videos, to remind all of us that the world is full of amazing things and that life is still good,” he says.
Keeping Connected During the Pandemic
Huston took these efforts a step further the pandemic.
He made a Facebook video at the start of distance learning to energize the community with making the most of the year. He started a virtual book club with students, and sent long email updates every week to students and parents — often including jokes and fun videos.
“They deserve to know how invested I am in their happiness, and that I’m here to enrich their lives in every way I can,” he says.
These efforts didn’t go unnoticed.
“I have never looked forward to an email from my children's teachers, but I am lucky enough to receive one every week from Mr. Huston,” reads a message from one student’s parent during the lockdown. “It is both entertaining, informational and something to look forward to. Mr. Huston took his own personal time to reach out to my daughter and myself and connect with her so that she felt like she mattered.”
Continuing to Inspire
Huston shows his commitment to students in his plans for the $1,000 donation to his school.
“I want to use it to promote social and emotional learning for our students. They need support now more than ever,” he says.
Of course, this follows with a quip: “Either that, or I’ll use it to build a giant laser gun on top of the school, so we can repel any potential zombie invasion.”
Even after the challenges of distance learning, Huston adds, he considers teaching the greatest job in the world.
“It’s a blessing to work with so many cool, ambitious, clever young people on creating a better world for all of us, by filling their hearts and expanding their minds,” he says. “Life is good.”
after school ended last year; every week during shutdown sent long email updates to students and parents with curriculum as well as jokes, songs, etc.; at the end of the semester his students held up thank you signs on their virtual screens to express their appreciation for him (5+ nominations)