Welcoming Tim Felton: A New Chapter in Student Engagement at JEDIS/JEMS

The Jordan-Elbridge Central School District is excited to welcome Tim Felton as the new JEDIS/JEMS Student Engagement Specialist. Tim, now entering his ninth year with the district, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the students he serves. Having started his journey at JE as a bus driver, Tim has consistently demonstrated an incredible ability to build positive, trusting relationships with students. His passion for creating a sense of community and fostering empathy among students has been evident throughout his time at JE, making him a perfect fit for this new role.

In his new position, Tim will be working closely with students in grades 4-8, playing a crucial role in fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. He is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with students, understanding their unique needs, and implementing strategies to support their behavioral and social growth. Through one-on-one mentoring, group activities, and collaboration with teachers and our experienced guidance staff, Tim will help students navigate the daily challenges of adolescence, encouraging them to develop self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. By focusing on proactive engagement and positive reinforcement, Tim will support the middle school's mission to empower students to reach their full potential both academically and socially.

Reflecting on his journey, Tim shared, "I started as a school bus driver eight years ago. That's where my journey connecting with these students began. I split time growing up in Syracuse and Cazenovia, and they were two different worlds. My parents instilled in my brother and me early on the importance of being yourself. If people accept you, they accept you. Not everyone is going to like you, and that's okay, but what's more important is staying true to yourself."

Before joining JE, Tim worked for the Syracuse Department of Public Works. Seeking a new challenge, he applied to JE and was hired as a bus driver. In his first year, Tim quickly discovered his love for building relationships with the students. After his second year, he was approached to help with school lunch duty, which opened up new opportunities to connect with students on a deeper level. Although COVID-19 paused his involvement in lunch duty, Superintendent of Schools James Froio later invited Tim to return to this role, reigniting his passion for student engagement.

"Mr. Froio approached me and asked if I would be interested in doing school lunch again, and I said, 'Sure!'" Tim recalled. "Being able to make a positive impact and share my experiences has allowed me to be vulnerable. To be vulnerable, you have to open yourself up, and through that, there's growth."

Recently, Tim joined the newly founded Principal's Cabinet as a chaperon during their overnight trip to Camp Oswegatchie in the Adirondacks. Over two days, the group focused on trust-building, teamwork, and connecting with nature.

"It was a great opportunity for us to get to know the kids," Tim said. "But it was also a chance to reflect on what we can bring to the table for the students. We did a night hike where we couldn't use lights, and I couldn't see the person in front of me. It required us to communicate and work together to get through it."

Tim remarked that the big lesson he learned from the trip was the power of teamwork and communication. Despite our differences, he emphasized that we are all connected in more ways than one and breaking down barriers together can reveal our commonalities. As the new school year begins, Tim is eager to start his new role.

"I'm determined to cultivate the very best in personal growth and academic achievement here at JE," Tim said. "I had no idea, after eight years, I would be in a position like this now, but everybody has a part, everybody has a piece, and we can bring that together. That's my part and my piece, and what I bring to JE."

With Tim Felton stepping into this pivotal role, the district is confident that his leadership and dedication will have a lasting impact on the students of JEDIS and JEMS. Welcome, Tim—we're excited to see all the incredible things you will accomplish in this new chapter of your journey!