JA Volunteer's Extraordinary Effort Recognized with a Gold Leadership Award

Author: Cassie Benzinger
Work Readiness
Published: Tuesday, 21 Oct 2014

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In the past 20 years, JA volunteer Chuck Siemen has taught [Chuck Siemen]more than 240 classes, reaching more than 5,168 students. In the past eight school years, he has taught a minimum of 10 classes per year, and reached an all-time high of 27 classes in the 2013-14 school year!Ron Wigglesworth, a senior program manager for Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass <http://bit.ly/1wg1FAZ> , shared some of the amazing comments received from teachers about Chuck. Chuck?s full-time job is as an IT consulting professional with IBM <http://ibm.co/11YjL0i> . But his passion and enthusiasm are in volunteering with Junior Achievement and interacting with students in the classroom.Patty Hawthorne and Lee Moureaux, third-grade teachers at Garden Springs Elementary (GSE) School, explained what makes Chuck such a great volunteer: "Mr. Siemen has been so amazing to all of the Garden Springs? students and teachers. His dedication, his love for our students, his knowledge, and his professionalism are an example to our community. We have loved every lesson, every activity, and every minute because of his love for GSE and Lexington. Thank you, Junior Achievement for supporting Mr. Siemen and giving us the opportunity to learn from the best."Chuck is one of 12 outstanding JA volunteers who will be recognized in March 2015 at a special recognition event involving the JA USA board of directors. Chuck will be receiving the Gold Leadership Award which is given to JA volunteers who exemplify a deep commitment to the future of our nation?s youth. The Gold Leadership Awards have been given since 1978, with more than 270 outstanding volunteers having been recognized to date."Chuck has been a great motivator in the JA classes. My students enjoy the projects and discussions in class. It is a great way to reinforce core content in third (grade)!" said Diana Barnes, third-grade teacher at Stonewall Elementary School.It is through the great work of caring leaders like Chuck that Junior Achievement is able to increase the impact we have on our nation?s youth and communities.