Zola Jensen, a choir teacher at the Idaho Falls High School
Special teachers have the ability to influence the lives of students for years after they graduate. It takes a truly special teacher to have over 120 students from multiple generations come together to honor them in a tribute video.
But that’s what happened as classmates gathered to surprise Idaho Falls High School choir teacher Zola Jensen, or Ms. J, as many call her. She plans to retire in the near future.
Jessie Wright, who graduated IFHS in 2007, had the idea to make a music video with just a few friends and send it to Jensen. One of those friends, Viola Moon, suggested adding classmates from other years who were interested. Moon created a Facebook group with over 300 former students signing on in 48 hours.
“One person would add a bunch of people and they would add more and now we are here,” Moon says. “I know personally that Ms. J was a pivotal person in our lives. She is a very strong independent woman that a lot of people look up to.”
After weeks of editing, Ms. J got to see the final product Tuesday night. She was overwhelmed and honored.
“You never think you are making that much of a difference,” she said. “I can honestly look at those kids and remember their names and their relationships. It was never about a choir. It was about each one of those kids individually. If I really made a difference in their life, my career was all worth it.”
Sources:
- https://youtu.be/HyLPV8e8Kv0
- https://www.eastidahonews.com/2020/07/teacher-moved-to-tears-as-generations-of-students-honor-her-with-special-music-video/
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