Community Education Service Kids’ Company Assistant Jodi Boller has been named the February 2025 recipient of the Anchored in the Laker Way Award. This monthly award celebrates Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education Services staff who are anchored in providing a strong foundation of community service, an innovative and supportive leader, a respectful team member, and committed to lifelong learning and excellence.
Here is what the nominator(s) shared about Jodi:
“Where do I even begin? Jodi is enthusiastic about her job. She comes in everyday ready to teach the kids something new. Her excitement with learning new projects gets the kids excited too. She pushes them to try new things and ends up opening whole new worlds for them. Last summer we had several kids that started the summer thinking they could never do the projects. By the end of the summer they were making their own pinball machines, catapults, golf courses, working wooden hands that grab, light up wands and so much more. We had several parents approach Jodi to tell her “thank you” for all she is teaching their kids. She truly changes their lives. She believes in them and helps them to believe in themselves. We are very lucky to have her and I am very grateful for her.”
“For the past 10 years, Jodi has embodied what it means to be a Laker. Jodi’s positivity is wildly contagious. Her ability to organically connect with youth is evident. Year after year, Jodi shares her personal interests (primarily woodworking) and talents with students and provides opportunities for them to be creative, think critically, work together, and explore and celebrate their individual gifts. From popsicle stick pulley systems, to cardboard castles with fully functioning draw bridges, Jodi models how simple, recycled materials can be transformed into incredible projects. The open-ended projects she leads encourages students to be resilient, responsible, and open to trying new things. Her kind affirmations provide empathy, as she guides and encourages them to pivot when the result they receive isn’t as expected. Jodi goes above and beyond what is expected. An example of this is at the end of the summer program, Jodi created a 45-minute compilation video highlighting and documenting all of the incredible projects and activities the students created during the summer. The presentation was shared with each student on a personalized, keepsake CD to take home. Jodi’s long-term investment and dedication to providing outstanding service to families proves she is fully deserving of the Anchored in the Laker Way Award. We applaud Jodi’s efforts and feel immense gratitude to have her as a part of the Kids’ Company team.”
Please join us in congratulating Jodi on this award!
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