This last summer, Ripon Area School District Superintendent Ron Rivard asked fellow staff, “Who has been the educator most influential to you?” What they didn’t know was that, on Dec. 2, during an administrative meeting, they would have a surprise breakfast with their chosen educators.
Ripon’s Director of Pupil Services, Emmy (Marvin) Jess ’08, chose BHS counselor and cross-country coach Matthew Willett as her most influential educator. Jess looks back on the summer before her freshman year, when she was first introduced to a very significant figure in her life.
“I was interested in trying a new sport, and a friend suggested I consider running cross country. I attended a meeting in August to learn more, and there was something so magnetic about the passion and enthusiasm he (Willett) had that ultimately led me to joining the team,” Jess said.
Many mentors and educators have had an impact on
(Photo courtesy of Emmy Jess)
Jess, but for her, picking the top one was obvious.
“For me, there is a long list of incredible individuals that I’ve had the pleasure of learning from or working alongside; I would be hard-pressed to narrow it to 20 people. But when thinking of who influenced my path most? That didn’t take much effort to conjure, as Mr. Willett will always be on my Mount Rushmore for that,” Jess said.
Alongside Jess’s memory about meeting Willett for the first time, Willett goes back to the first cross-country practice of Jess’s cross-country career in 2004.
“My first memory of Emmy when she was a student was the first day of cross country practice her freshman year. The first practice was before school even started, and instantly her school spirit and energy were contagious,” Willett said.
Ripon Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Vince Propson chose special education teacher Ray Mlada as his most influential educator. Mlada coached Propson in football at Chilton High School.
“It was humbling that a highly successful administrator in a renowned school district would choose me as the most impactful teacher/coach in their life,” Mlada said.
Mlada spoke on what he believes other educators can take away from this experience.
“If you want to pursue a career in education, you must have a passionate desire to inspire kids to believe they are capable of achieving things they thought were never possible,” Mlada said.
Jess expresses how Willett’s dedication to special education taught her to appreciate the challenging moments in her career as Director of Pupil Services, a role that focuses on managing overall student success and well-being. This position includes special education, guidance, attendance, and psychological services.
“I was lucky enough to know Mr. Willett in his capacity as a special education teacher. The students I now love working with most are the ones who challenge me, and I think it’s, in part, because of the way I got to see Mr. Willett work with students who had a difficult time in their educational journey,” Jess said.
