Chadwick named JMS Student Support Specialist

JOHNSTON, IA. (Aug. 5, 2022) — Ben Chadwick has been named the new Student Support Specialist at Johnston Middle School, filling the vacancy created by Tron England becoming the associate principal at JMS.

Chadwick’s hiring was approved Monday by the Johnston Board of Education. He most recently served as a student support facilitator at Summit Middle School, where he worked since 2016. He has a passion for working with middle school students and is able to connect quickly and build relationships with students, staff, parents and community members.

“I focus on promoting the success of our at-risk students,” he said. “This is accomplished successfully through the intentional building of trust with both the students and their at-home support system. I routinely collaborate with teachers to support the achievement and discipline management in their classrooms. I have experience working side-by-side with the Special Education PLC and stepping in where support is needed.”

Chadwick is National Board Certified Teacher who received his bachelor’s degree in technology education from the University of Northern Iowa, and his masters of education from Viterbo University. He received his specialist’s degree in educational leadership with a principal endorsement from Drake University.

Before working in Johnston, Chadwick worked with students at both Meadows Middle School and Dallas Center-Grimes High School. He has also worked with adult learners in subjects including programming logic, computer forensics and network security at the Ankeny and Urban campuses of Des Moines Area Community College.

“I have developed a strong ability to support the integration of educational technology in the classroom,” he said. “Along with the experience gained over multiple years of teaching in a 1:1 device environment, I have a background in teaching computer science and engineering, and have continued to stay up-to-date by teaching night classes at DMACC’s Urban Campus.”

In his new role, Chadwick joins the Johnston Community School District’s administrative team. He will collaborate with the building principal, serve as an advocate for students and staff, and manage student discipline issues including attendance. He’ll work with the teaching teams to provide a positive, collaborative learning environment.

“Ben has done great work for us at Summit Middle School and we are excited to welcome him to his new role at Johnston Middle School,” said JCSD Superintendent Laura Kacer. “The experience he brings in technology and his work with at-risk students will definitely be a benefit in his new role.”

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