Jennifer English

Tell us why you became a teacher

I loved reading as a child and talking about the stories I read with other people. People who write books/stories amaze me. I’m in wonder and awe with the ability to tell a story that can evoke anger, laughter, sadness, or hope. To me that is a gift and to help children see the beauty in storytelling is what I love most.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One year, I decided to have three of my classes rewrite, produce, and direct their own version of Macbeth. They had read the play and studied many versions of the play from Patrick Stewart on PBS to Ian McKellan. They decided upon setting their version of the play in Rat Pack Las Vegas, and their ideas were amazing. The witches were lounge singers, Macbeth was a mob boss, the list goes on and on. Former students still tell me how much fun they had that year.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Take a trip. My husband and I haven’t taken a big trip anywhere since we got married 20 years ago. I would love to travel somewhere exotic.