Jennifer Harbers

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I absolutely love children. I can honestly say that they teach me the important things in life that I often forget as an adult: to slow down and notice the little things in life, to find beauty and value in simple things and that one can always look at the world in awe and with wonder. I believe that it’s a privilege to share moments in time with these amazing little minds.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I once had children in a first and second grade combo class create a Power Point in English for children in a village in Nicaragua. They chose simple words like colors and animals. I then traveled to Nicaragua and volunteered in a small village school, where there was no running water and most of the kids did not have shoes. I was able to share the slides on the computer with these children, and allow them to create a Power Point in Spanish in return. Some of them had never used a computer.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I have always said that if I hit the lottery, I will buy a jet airplane and start my own “magic school bus” (only on a jet) and take underprivileged children to explore other countries and cultures. I’m sure that $25,000, won’t quite be enough for that dream, but I would find a way to help children have exciting cross cultural experiences, especially if that would not otherwise be in the cards for them.