At EMS, genuine care for students\u2019 well-being and growth is the bedrock for education. This philosophy is embodied by Jodi Nisly ’91 Hertzler, English teacher, senior class sponsor, and college counselor since 2014. Hertzler\u2019s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her own experiences as an EMS student, where the connections she made with her teachers left a lasting impact.<\/p>\n
Hertzler graduated from EMS 30 years ago, and her journey has come full circle as she now guides students through their academic and personal growth. Reflecting on her own time as a student, she recalls, \u201cWhat I remember most about my experience is the connections I had with my teachers. They were mentors who shaped my journey, and I strive to be that for my students.\u201d<\/p>\n
At EMS, Hertzler\u2019s role as a college counselor is unique. Unlike in many schools, she has the opportunity to form deep, personalized relationships with students, providing them with tailored guidance through the college admission process or whatever their next steps may include. Hertzler notes, \u201cBecause of our small size, I can tailor each student\u2019s experience to what they need most, whether it\u2019s independent check-ins or more hands-on support.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur life journeys take unpredictable turns and unique routes. We don\u2019t need to map out the entire path; we just need to focus on the next step and guide them forward, whether it\u2019s a gap year, a job, or a prestigious college. Most of our students get into the college of their choice and 98% go to college. More importantly, whatever they choose, they are confident to succeed there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hertzler\u2019s dedication to her students is evident in the memorable moments she shares. Once, a student, who had been waitlisted by his dream school, ran into her classroom wearing a University of Virginia sweatshirt to celebrate his acceptance with a big hug. \u201cThat was really special,\u201d she recalls with a smile.<\/p>\n
Hertzler emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship at EMS. \u201cOur teachers aren\u2019t just instructors; they\u2019re mentors,\u201d she explains. \u201cThe connection between students and their teachers is vital. We know our students well enough to recommend opportunities that suit them and to encourage them to explore new interests.\u201d She stresses the importance of finding the right fit for each student rather than focusing solely on prestigious school names.<\/p>\n
This environment allows students to thrive in various fields, from STEM to the arts, supported by teachers who genuinely care about their success. Hertzler also highlights the comprehensive support she provides to students and their families, starting as early as ninth grade. \u201cI meet with students individually, help them explore career options, and guide them through every step of the college application process,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Hertzler\u2019s commitment to her students extends beyond academic advising. She values the personal growth of each student, ensuring they feel known, cared for, and empowered to make choices that align with their goals and passions. \u201cMy wish for all of our students is to feel that they belong, that they are cared for as individuals, and that we want the best for them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
At EMS, genuine care for students\u2019 well-being and growth is the bedrock for education. This philosophy is embodied by Jodi Nisly ’91 Hertzler, English teacher, senior class sponsor, and college counselor since 2014. Hertzler\u2019s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in her own experiences as an EMS student, where the connections she made with her…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1138,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"issuem_issue":[44],"issuem_issue_categories":[],"issuem_issue_tags":[],"class_list":["post-1137","article","type-article","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","issuem_issue-summer-2026"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1137"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1139,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1137\/revisions\/1139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"issuem_issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issuem_issue?post=1137"},{"taxonomy":"issuem_issue_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issuem_issue_categories?post=1137"},{"taxonomy":"issuem_issue_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/today\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/issuem_issue_tags?post=1137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}