Affable, passionate, considerate and dependable are just a few words to describe Hudson High School English teacher Jessica Stiffler. Stiffler is an amazing person who prides her teaching career on helping students be successful in the classroom and outside.
Stiffler earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Ursuline College, but was undecided on what career she wanted to pursue. After graduating, she became a reporter for the Hudson Hub Times and focused her career on featuring events or important individuals in Hudson, Ohio. At the start of her journalism career, she did most of her learning “on the fly.” She had to learn how to conduct interviews, write proper questions and adapt her style of writing to that of an informant. While attending Ursuline College, Stiffler participated in one journalism class where she learned how to write interview questions and ended up writing an article on tattoos. During her experience as a reporter for Hudson Hub Times, she wrote unique and odd articles, including one on a professional clown school opening outside of Hudson.
“I got to meet a lot of interesting people, which was something I really loved about the job,” Stiffler explains.
Stiffler had the opportunity of interviewing officials in the city of Hudson, taking limousine rides with the mayor and meeting various people from visiting cities. She truly enjoyed the three years working for the Hudson Hub Times, but she craved more.
“I found that I felt that I was not really helping people, so somebody would read the Sunday newspaper and the next day use it to line their litter box, so I felt like I wanted to do something that made more of an impact, and that’s when I went to Kent State to obtain my teaching degree.”
Stiffler thrives off of helping others achieve their goals and becoming their best. She obtained her Masters of Arts in teaching from Kent State University and earned her National Board Certification in teaching Language Arts in 2008. Stiffler completed her student teaching at Alliance High School and has been teaching at Hudson High School ever since.
Currently, Stiffler teaches Science Fiction, Drama as Literature and co-teaches H2BE, an integrated Honors Biology and Honors English course centered on the outdoors with Mrs. Conroy. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught numerous senior elective classes including Writers Workshop. Incidentally, Stiffler, with the help of Mrs. VonVille, started the Journalism program at Hudson High School. Originally, the Explorer Newspaper was an extracurricular activity, but Stiffler approached the supportive administration, and, in collaboration, developed Journalism 1, 2 and 3 teaching curriculums. The program began with only 12 students, but has since thrived, and provided students with another avenue to a possible career. Stiffler also is involved with Fashion club and was an advisor of Feminist Forum for three years.
southern Ohio. (Mrs. Stiffler)
Through her teaching experience, Stiffler has persevered through several challenges, especially teaching during the pandemic. “That was one of the most stressful stages of teaching that I have ever been through, but we came through it and we learned, and teachers and I collaborated. We took courses and we figured it out. I think all teachers around the state and nation would say that their proudest moment was the successes in learning how to teach during the pandemic.”
The pandemic was a crash course on learning the new adaptive technology for education and how to provide for students at home. The pandemic made Stiffler a more adaptable teacher, who is willing to work and collaborate to provide students with the highest quality education possible.
Over the years, Stiffler has made several memories with students. Some of her favorite memories include “working on the newspaper during late nights with my journalism students, funny moments where students make me laugh in class, and Drama as Lit students’ performances for fourth graders.”
Stiffler has felt fully fulfilled in her career and loves making a difference in someone’s day. “If I can help somebody feel more confident in their capabilities and who they are, to me those are the shining moments in teaching and that is the reason why I got into it.”
Outside of the classroom, Stiffler teaches two fitness classes. “It really is my passion. I love helping other people feel that they are successful and to meet their fitness goals.”
In addition, Stiffler loves to backpack during the summer with family or friends, along with kayaking, biking and hiking. Being outdoors helps her maintain a healthy work-life balance and rejuvenate the positive energy she radiates.
“I think we can be our best selves in nature,” Stiffler explains.
Chris, over the Christmas holiday. (Mrs. Stiffler)
Stiffler would not have been able to become a teacher without the loving support of her parents and her husband, Chris. Her first grade teacher and high school choir director also remain as inspirations to her style of teaching and have had a monumental impact on her life.
