For Jennifer Thompson, a 10-year staff member at UHS, sparking wonder through mentorship is the best part of her job. As a former collegiate athlete, Jennifer learned how to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, and expectations from adults — wisdom she shares with her mentee, senior Ronelle Dorant.

A pair of perfectionists with a love of cooking and Whitney Houston, Jennifer and Ronelle are a great match. (For evidence, one need look no further than their matching black-satin-rhinestone-embellished jackets.)

And yet, it took a semester for them to develop a deeper bond. Ronelle began to gain confidence, to share more about herself, and to ask for answers. As Jennifer says, “I love that Ronelle never settles for a shortcut. She wants to know the why and the how behind everything. Her sense of wonder sparks discovery and learning, for both of us.” 

Three years into their relationship, Jennifer and Ronelle continue to discover shared interests and explore new topics together. Whether they are chatting about hobbies or discussing heavier subjects like faith and social-justice issues, they encourage each other to keep learning, sharing, and wondering.

“The beauty of our relationship is that we spark wonder in each other.”

Ronelle and Jennifer talk nearly every day. Some days, it’s a quick “hello” and a “love your outfit.” Other days, Ronelle seeks Jennifer’s counsel. On nice days, they walk and talk outside. If Ronelle is stressed, Jennifer gently asks, “Whatever is bothering you, will you be thinking about it a year from now?” For Ronelle, that simple question is often enough to put a problem into perspective.

About the Wonderful Teachers Series
Building upon the 2021-2022 school-year theme of “Wonder,” this series highlights examples of faculty and staff sparking wonder inside and out of the classroom.