As Food Moxie heads into its 10th year, we find ourselves taking stock of those who have helped us get to where we are today. Jessica McAtamney serves as a true linchpin. An environmental science teacher at Saul High School, Jess is preparing to move on after close to 15 years at Saul, and in the coming months she’ll be stepping away from the classroom.

A tireless champion for both her students and the Henry Got Crops CSA farm partnership of Saul, Weavers Way and Food Moxie, Jess has made this partnership work for Saul students, for the urban farming community and for Northwest Philadelphia.

Jess isn’t just an advocate for our local community; she’s a model citizen at a national level, too. In 2012, the White House awarded her the “Champion of Change” prize for her work on the Henry Got Crops CSA partnership and for establishing a school recycling initiative.

Says fellow Saul teacher Greg Smith: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to observe, learn from and adopt teaching methodology and traits from Jessica. She is a mentor and the kind of teacher worth imitating. I’m a better teacher from just being in her presence.”

“Jess is a truly amazing and accomplished woman,” says Tara Campbell, Food Moxie’s Youth Education Coordinator. “She has two master’s degrees, was a Peace Corps volunteer, is an incredible teacher and an integral part of Henry Got Crops. She turned a small hoop house into a thriving CSA that is now an important part of the school and the Weavers Way community. I am continually impressed with her energy and dedication to her students and the school. She is never doing less than three things at once, yet always has time to help a student or support a co-worker. Jess is a role model and an inspiration to me, her students and everybody she encounters.”

Jess has also made quite an impression on Nina Berryman, Weavers Way’s Farm Manager. “The word ‘no’ isn’t in Jess’s vocabulary,” Nina says. “She makes things happen. She rises to every occasion. She always goes above and beyond. She will move the earth for her students, and her inspiration is contagious. She raises the bar when it comes to supporting education and she insists that all around her do the same. I would say that Jess is one of those people who makes the world a better place, except there is truly no one like her.”

Then there are the ringing endorsements from students:

• “Ms. Mac is the most dedicated, caring and hard-working teacher I’ve ever had. She really sticks her neck out for students and does so much for the school to better our education.”
  — Chelsea Reiman

• “Ms. Mac takes her time to get to know her students personally. . . . She understands that students go through hard times in their lives. She tries to help them feel comfortable in class and helps them to find ways to express their emotions.”
  — Paul Mendoza

• “Ms. Mac caters to every learning style and does not leave any student behind in her lessons. Her door is always open and she is always there to give extra help.”
  — Amanda Fritsch

• “Ms. Mac is extremely engaging when it comes to the very fun activities we do indoors and outside. She is fun and energetic when we work outside at the CSA. I am happy to have her as my teacher.”
  — Cordell Young

We consider ourselves deeply fortunate to have had Jess on our team, and we know that the School District of Philadelphia and the urban agriculture community are infinitely better for her tireless energy, advocacy and enthusiasm. Thank you, Jess, and best of luck!