2011 - Washington State Teacher of the Year

Jay began his professional life as a sports journalist. But since 2001, Jay has taught language arts to sophomores at Kentwood High School. He is a National Board Certified Teacher.

Jay teaches in a blended honors classroom where honors, ELL, special education and core students all partake of a rigorous and scholarly curriculum that he enriches with seminars and literary circles. Jay also teaches the intervention courses at Kentwood which targets students who have already failed to meet standard on statewide assessments. 80% of the intervention students who have Jay go on to meet standard.

Jay is an incredibly reflective practitioner who is constantly in the process of assessing his own work as well as the work of his students. Jay’s curriculum is alive with relevancy as he ties complicated literary themes such as ‘the mask’ to popular films and music and gives students choice in selecting reading materials.

Jay is a natural collaborator.

Jay’s experience observing and reporting on successful athletes and teams has given him a unique perspective on the symbiotic nature of the education team. He strongly believes the greatest success is achieved for students when teachers and parents work in tandem to support and encourage student learning. Parents appreciate his weekly e-newsletter, and he works with colleagues to develop their own parent communication plans.

Jay approaches the work of educating future citizens with a reverence that inspires colleagues and parents alike. He describes the simple practice of listening to students as the key to success in the classroom.

Assistant Principal Joseph Potts praises Jay saying: “He has a track record of success and his level of ‘grit,’ defined here as perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is unparalleled in our school . . . What makes a great teacher? Ask his students or observe Jay Maebori teach; either way, you’ll know the answer.”