Enter Jillian Lombardi’s sixth grade science class at Southbridge Middle School and see students engaged in thoughtful, lively discussions about relevant, real-world, grade-level learning. Lombardi is a leader in her use of the inquiry-based Open SciEd curriculum and has leveraged the materials to deliver instruction driven by student discourse, cooperative learning, and classroom engagement. Students’ desks are arranged in a horseshoe, inspiring deeper discussion and communication among her middle schoolers. She builds relationships with her students and their families both in the classroom and throughout their extracurricular opportunities. From early morning to late in the evening, Lombardi is often found walking the halls of SMS, coaching girls’ basketball and tennis teams, attending school dances and cheering on students at the National Junior Honor Society induction ceremonies.
Lombardi maintains high expectations for herself and her students and supports them in reaching their potential. She is known to make home calls to ensure students are diligent in completing their homework and serves as an advisor for students who need additional academic assistance. Her firm yet nurturing approach pays off. Her tennis team earned the “best academic achievement for a sports team honor.” In her Student Advisory Group, Lombardi increased the percentage of students completing homework from two-thirds to 83%, and she has supported the middle school’s schoolwide math goals by leading a daily math intervention and increasing math proficiency with her students on the iReady diagnostic year over year. She also makes interdisciplinary skills a priority, working with math and English language arts teachers on lessons that transfer learning from the classroom to the real world.
Lombardi’s commitment to excellence extends beyond her classroom. She incorporates her interactive teaching methods into weekly professional development sessions for peer educators, leading Science Department Inquiry Group discussions for her colleagues and serving on the school’s Instructional Leadership Team. As the Science Department head, she mentors new teachers and is often called upon by her colleagues to help meet student challenges or offer constructive feedback on curriculum. Lombardi can also be seen supporting colleagues in service projects throughout the community.
Lombardi earned her Bachelor of Science in animal science in 2017 from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Education in 2021 from the American International College in Massachusetts.
Press Release: Southbridge Science Teacher Receives Surprising News: She Is the Next Milken Educator!
