By Lisa Carolin
Jake Hollenbeck loves working with children. That is the impetus behind his job as North Creek Elementary School teacher consultant. He is in his fifth year at the elementary school and works with kindergarten, first and second-graders on fine motor, gross motor, behavior, social skills, and academics.
He also provides academic support for kindergarten and second-grade students who need some extra help in math, reading, or writing. Hollenbeck says that for many of his students, North Creek is their first school experience.
“These kids come into our school as a sponge,” he said. “They are active, excited, and ready to learn and socialize with peers and adults. The smiles and energy they bring every day make it the greatest place to spend my time.”
Hollenbeck says that seeing the growth in his students is very satisfying, but trying to understand all the unique personalities of his students can be challenging.
“Each of them has their own learning styles, specific likes, motivators, and needs,” he said. “Children at this age show such compassion, forgiveness, and an ability to move on from a difficult situation.”
Hollenbeck praises the administrative team at North Creek for the nurturing atmosphere the school provides.
“Jake is reflective and caring toward his students, their environments and his peers,” said North Creek Principal Marcus Kaemming. “The students know he will hold them accountable while supporting their individual needs.”
Hollenbeck is also a coach for the eighth-grade boy’s basketball team, something he is passionate about.
He grew up in Tecumseh where his dad drove a bus for the Lenawee Intermediate School District and helped run a respite care facility in Adrian. His mom was a youth group leader at their church and operated an in-home daycare.
“Through my childhood, both of my parents’ careers were focused around education,” said Hollenbeck. “I would help my mom take care of the children, who ranged from infants to age 12, during my middle and high school years. The compassion, love and guidance that both of my parents demonstrated in their careers helped to inspire me and my younger sister, Carlee (a high school math teacher in San Diego, California) to become teachers.”
He says that his parents have dedicated their lives to helping those who need it most, a quality he strives to instill in himself and the kids he works with.
Hollenbeck attended Washtenaw Community College focusing on banking and investing. During that time, he began working at Gretchen’s house as a before- and after-school teacher, and that’s when he decided that business was not the right path for him. He also refereed and coached basketball and soccer through Ypsilanti Parks and Recreation at that time.
He applied to Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a major in cognitive impairment and a minor in math. He moved to Salt Lake City for a year and in addition to snowboarding and enjoying the outdoors, he taught kindergarten.
When Hollenbeck moved back to Ann Arbor in 2009, he applied for a teacher consultant job in Chelsea and was hired six days before the school year started.
“Even though it was short notice, I was beyond ecstatic to join the Chelsea School District,” he said. “It remains a dream job for me to be able to work in a district that is fully supported by the community, dedicated to the families, and filled with professionals committed to children.”
Last year, he earned a Master’s Degree at Marygrove College with a focus on reading and literacy.
He has been married to wife, Jess, for three years, though they’ve know each other since high school. They have a dog name Blue whom they rescued, and they enjoy traveling throughout the U.S., especially visiting and camping at national parks.
Hollenbeck also enjoys running, golfing, basketball, softball and snowboarding as well as spending time with his family and friends.
