![On Oct. 30, 24 Eco Club members took a tour of the school’s solar panels on the roof. They were guided and taught by an employee from E Light Electric, the company that maintains the school’s solar panels, and learned about how the panels are maintained and cared for. “I was definitely very excited about being on the roof in general,” Eco Club member Olivia Fang ‘26 said. “[It was exciting to] learn more about solar panels and how they work and how they supply energy to our school.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/RCH_2632-1200x800.jpg)
![Math teacher Austin Bennett observes seventh period students step to the board to solve Equation of Circle problems May 2. Bennett has been teaching for a total of four years, with only two of those years spent as a Jag. He hopes after his time as a high school teacher to become a professor. "[College math] is more challenging, and it's good to challenge yourself," Bennett said.](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_0147-1200x900.jpg)
![Varsity girls soccer midfielder Leah Sheahan ‘24 hugs a friend during the Senior Night celebrations before the home game against Mountain Vista High School (MVHS) at Echo Park Stadium April 29. During Senior Night, seniors were given flowers and the opportunity to walk out and take pictures with their family as their future plans and favorite memories were announced over the speakers. The Jags tied 0-0, losing the Continental League Championship. “We were obviously the stronger team but just couldn’t find a way to score, but otherwise our connection and our intensity was really high so I’m proud of that. We just have to find the net,” defense midfielder Clara Geuzaine ‘24 said. “[Losing League] wasn’t the best. It’s better than last year and like, I know our team and we are doing really good. I don’t want to jinx it but like hopefully [we’ll do] good [in playoffs].”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-DSC_4277-1-1200x868.jpg)
![In room 4101, Natalie Patterson ‘26, Ariana Magor ‘25 and Celina Salazar ‘25 create a poster in science teacher Kerry Reilly’s Chemistry Honors April 18. The three completed a worksheet and drawing to explain the implosion of a tank for their unit on gas laws. “At the start of class, we watched a video of the tank imploding,” Patterson said. “I think [making a drawing] is something new. I like more artsy activities.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5019-1200x900.jpeg)
FRIDAY FACULTY FEATURE: Kelly Jennings Makes a Difference in the SPED Department
This week’s glimpse into the life of Special Education teacher Kelly Jennings.
media by Elizabeth Schlue
Kelly Jennings, a special education teacher, bonds with her seminar students Sept. 27. Jennings talked with each student individually about their day. “My favorite part is working with the families, students, and the teachers all together putting together the puzzle of what the kids need,” Jennings said.
December 2, 2022
Kelly Jennings walks across the hallway, getting smiles and waves as she passes students that know her. She smiles back and greets her students as she walks into the Special Education (SPED) classroom.
Jennings has been with Douglas County since she was a child, and continues to be with the school district even into adulthood. Jennings has been teaching here for seven years in SPED. She works with students with mild to moderate learning or emotional disabilities and assists them in being successful.
Before teaching at Rock Canyon, she worked at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School in a similar program.
“At Buffalo, I worked as an educational assistant and I worked with many different classrooms. Then, I left because I got a job at Rock Canyon. At the time, I loved the kids’ ages, but then I got hooked here,” Jennings said.
Jennings has loved helping kids with special needs her entire life. She achieved her master’s in psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder. Jennings is a Douglas County native: she attended Douglas County High School and watched Ponderosa High School’s construction.
“My favorite part is working with the families, students, and the teachers all together putting together the puzzle of what the kids need,” Jennings said.
Not only has she worked at Buffalo Ridge Elementary School, she also has done family therapy with high-risk youth.
“I always thought that I wanted to do family therapy, which I did, but then I got into this. So I thought I was going to work with high-risk youth, but then I got into SPED, and I fell in love with that,” Jennings said.