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Highlands Today

Student Educator

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Jerry Lee Wright has won several awards over the past few years for his volunteerism and his public speaking for Future Farmers of America.

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Sue Ann Carpenter

Published: January 21, 2008

AVON PARK –– Every child dreams of what they might become. Yet few actually know where their talents lie and what will realistically be required. Even fewer possess the energy and focus to pursue and achieve it. One of those rare individuals who differs is 16-year-old Jerry Lee Wright of Avon Park.

"In middle school I knew I wanted to be in education," Wright said, "and every chance I got I'd help any teacher who needed it."

He continued volunteering and kept track because he needed 15 service hours for National Junior Honor Society. For the Academic Bright Future Scholarship given by the state, 80 service hours from ninth grade to senior year are required.

At Park Elementary School, second graders had an after-school tutoring program that fit with Wright's schedule. He'd arrive with the teacher and help students with timed readings and fluency. He'd read stories to them, grade papers, and involve them in activities.

Now he's a junior in Avon Park High School and also a SFCC freshman. His guidance counselor allowed him temporary placement at high school due to his dual enrollment efforts. And because some of his college classes were at night, it freed up time to volunteer.

As a member of Kiwanis' Key Club he works with Cheryl Moffat, a teacher who started a program that mentors at-risk students, meeting weekly at 7 a.m.

Wright arrives early, eats and talks with students in the cafeteria.

One on one, he helps them with homework or memorizing.

Because his high school classes don't start until 8:15 a.m., he sometimes continues with the students in the classroom, helping them with math, reinforcing what they've learned, reading to them and generally helping them get their brains working so they'll be ready to learn when the teacher starts class.

Last year he was named Highlands County Youth Volunteer of the Year, accumulating 300 hours while attending high school.

He's racked up 756 total volunteer hours for the past year and a half. Most students only average 14 hours a week in addition to school.

Wright's time included weekends and summers assisting 19 different teachers. He even created a computer program called Science Jeopardy to teach second graders their curriculum. Both teachers and children have benefited from his energy, enthusiasm and time.

One of his favorite teachers to observe and assist is Lee Sizemore. She teaches second grade at Park Elementary.

"I had her as a teacher in kindergarten and first grade," Wright said. "She's my ideal teacher whose footsteps I follow."

He continues to help with third grade remediation as well. He is consumed with helping kids who are struggling.

Yet, he's still active at his high school as junior class president, FFA (Future Farmers of America) President, District 11 FFA President, Student Council Vice President and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Parliamentarian.

He placed second for the last two years with FFA's extemporaneous speaking. He's not active in sports because of the time commitment, but he's raising a market steer and a commercial heifer for the Highlands County Fair. This is his third year of feeding and working with cattle and he is excited to show his results in February.

Wright's mother, Trisha, is a clerk at Park Elementary. His father, Randy, owns The Steel Products, a family business which erects metal buildings. His brother Chad is a full-time freshman at SFCC. His family and friends are supportive. He enjoys getting together for study groups with friends and just hanging out.

His favorite subject is history, and at college he especially likes the education programs.

This semester he's taking introduction to education technology, elementary statistics, American history II, oral communications and macro economics in addition to high school and all his volunteering.

His goal for the future is to be an elementary teacher, get a master's in education leadership and become a principal.

When asked what makes a good teacher, he doesn't hesitate.

"They come for the children, are caring and willing to put in extra effort. They follow the text, but are creative and always thinking of other ways to reach kids."

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