Congratulations to Abby Herzog and Kipp Keffel, this week’s BANK VI Co-Heroes of the Week!

Teachers Herzog and Keffel were chosen due to their exemplary leadership in “Jobs for Americas Graduates.”  The JAG Program has been implemented in twenty five schools across Kansas, including Salina South and Salina Central, as well as thirty five other states and The Virgin Islands.  This program assists students that are at risk of not graduating from the public school system.  As JAG facilitators at their respective schools, Herzog and Keffel are charged with equipping students with the tools necessary to become successful adults.  They cover everything from balancing a check book to giving a proper handshake.  Even the simpler things like saying “please” and “thank you.”

Herzog, who teaches the program at South High School, and Keffel at Salina Central, both shared that some of their students struggle with an unstable home life.  Therefore, Mr. Keffel strives to connect with them beyond the classroom and has even gone so far as to buy nutritional food for students that otherwise would not have a decent meal on weekends.  Keffel also recalled buying a shirt and tie for a student that otherwise would not have had anything to wear to Homecoming.When Herzog got involved in The Jag Program at Salina South, thirty seven students were failing eighty classes collectively.  Today, that number has decreased to thirty classes.  “These students just need someone to believe in them”, says Herzog.

The key to the JAG program is developing a trusting relationship with students, encouraging them, and letting them know that they can aspire to greater things.  Abby Herzog and Kipp Keffel are doing just that in our community.  Congratulations to these two fine teachers and this weeks BANK VI Co-Heroes of the Week.

Click here to nominate your Hero of the Week!