TMP-M
Thomas More Prep-Marian has announced that Ms. Jennie Helget will join TMP-Marian Jr./Sr. High School as a Junior High math instructor in preparation for the 2020-21 academic year.
Upon earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in music from Fort Hays State University, Helget — a 1993 graduate of TMP-Marian and Hays native — began her teaching career in 1998 at the former Kennedy Middle School before joining Holy Family Elementary in 2000. In her 20 years at Holy Family, Ms. Helget has taught 6th, 5th, 3rd and 2nd grades.
“I love all of my students! All the current and former ‘Helget-ers’ have kept me young at heart and enjoying coming to Holy Family every day,” said Helget when asked what she loved about her time at Holy Family. “My co-workers support and care for each other – the ‘Family’ of Holy Family is exactly what our faculty and staff is to each other,” continued Helget.
“During my years at Holy Family, I’ve consistently seen Jennie inspire others to learn and grow spiritually, academically, and personally. She challenges herself to be the best version of herself and models that for others. Her excellent faith formation, classroom instruction, and management create an environment for students to learn and take risks in a way that encourages and challenges them to soar. HFE students, staff and families will greatly miss Jennie, but we know our future Monarchs will be blessed by her excellent teaching when they progress to TMP-Marian Junior High,” said Holy Family Elementary Principal, Rachel Wentling.
Helget’s dedication to teaching and especially Catholic schools comes from a desire to help educate students in every aspect of their lives. “I have a love of children as a gift from God and they are to be respected for who they are as young people who are learning spiritual, emotional, and academic lessons for success in life,” said Helget.
Why Helget has devoted her career to Catholic schools is clear. “Catholic schools form our Church, community, and society. In the Catholic school environment, students learn academic lessons to become productive adult citizens, but more importantly, they learn the life lesson of Jesus’ love and practice the virtues of the saints,” said Helget.
“In my five years with Hays Catholic Schools, Ms. Helget’s name has been consistently on the lips of students, parents and other educators as a phenomenal teacher and role model. I am beyond excited to welcome her to TMP-Marian Junior High. Quality Catholic education begins and ends with loving yet demanding teachers who get the most out of their students. Ms. Helget is such an educator,” said TMP-Marian Principal, Chad Meitner.
Ms. Helget sees this change as a turning point in her career. “As I look back at my first 20 years of teaching and see where I started and where I have come I feel God is calling me back to the junior high level again. I have spent 20 years at the grade school and I would like to give my next 20 to TMP-Marian,” said Helget. “And, after all, my graduating class of 1993 did elect me ‘most likely to return to TMP-M to teach,’” laughed Helget. “I guess the Holy Spirit is fulfilling that prophesy!”